In re J. E. Brenneman Co.

GANEY, District Judge.

The question posed by the claimants’ exceptive allegations to a petition for *296exoneration from or limitation of liability is whether a certain document constituted written notice within the meaning of R.S. § 4285, as amended by § 3 of the Act of June 5, 1936, 49 Stat. 1480, 46 U.S.C.A. § 185.

Oh July 20, 1956, while the pile driver vessel “Hercules”, owned and operated by the petitioner, was moored at claimants’ pier in the Delaware River, Philadelphia, Pa., a fire destroyed the “Hercules” and damaged the pier. As a result claimants suffered extensive damages. Petitioner,…