The Continental Grain Co. v. Barge FBL-585 et al., 1959, is a case that revolved around the issue of maritime law and liability for damages incurred during transport by waterways. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Continental Grain Company, stating that the Harter Act (a federal statute governing sea transportation) did not protect barge owners from being held liable for damage to cargo if they had failed to provide a seaworthy vessel at the beginning of its voyage. In this particular instance, it was found that Barge FBL-585 had been overloaded with grain which led to its sinking in the Mississippi River and subsequent loss of cargo owned by Continental Grain Company. Therefore, under maritime law principles and provisions within the Harter Act itself regarding seaworthiness obligations on part of carriers/shipowners, barge owners were deemed responsible for compensating Continental Grain Company's losses.

In the dissenting opinion for Continental Grain Co. v. Barge FBL-585 et al., Justice Brennan, joined by Chief Justice Warren and Justices Black and Douglas, disagreed with the majority's interpretation of the Harter Act. The dissent argued that this law was intended to protect shippers from carriers' attempts to limit their liability for cargo damage caused by negligence or fault in navigation or management of a vessel. They believed that it should not be used as a shield against claims made by third parties who were not involved in any contractual relationship with either shipper or carrier at all - such as Continental Grain Company in this case - especially when those third parties suffered damages due to no fault of their own but because of negligent acts committed by others (the barge owners). Furthermore, they pointed out that allowing such an expansive reading of the Harter Act would essentially grant immunity to carriers even when they are clearly at fault, which is contrary to its original purpose.