The William A. McKenney

BREWSTER, District Judge.

This is a petition for limitation of liability, brought by the owners of the steamship William A. MeKenney. The vessel and freight have been appraised for the sum of $163,500, which is so near the gross amount claimed by the intervening claimants that the limitation of liability becomes a matter of little importance. The real question presented in the case is whether there is any liability at all, and upon this issue evidence was offered by the petitioners and by the claimants.

The specifications of negligence relied upon were the following:(1) That the William A.…