Hamilton v. Steamboat R. B. Hamilton

The facts necessary to be stated to understand the question decided in this case are as follows :

*On the 8th day of May, 1860, the plaintiff brought an action against the defendant, in the court of common pleas for the-county of Gallia, under the provisions of the “ act to provide for the collection of claims against steamboats and other water-craft, and authorizing proceedings against the same by name,” to recover the damages sustained by the plaintiff in the sinking and loss of a flat-boat and load of coal, wrongfully occasioned by said steamboat on the Ohio river.

The proceedings in the…