In the case of William Cushing, John N. Cushing, and Caleb Cushing of Newburyport, Massachusetts (libellants and appellants) v. The Owners of the Ship John Fraser and The Steamer General Clinch, three brothers from Massachusetts brought a claim against two ships for damages to their own vessel caused by a collision in navigable waters. They argued that they were not at fault as their ship was properly lit up with signal lights while both other vessels had failed to do so according to maritime law. However, the court ruled in favor of the defendants due to lack of evidence proving negligence on behalf of either party involved in the incident; thus denying any compensation for damages sustained by libellants’ vessel during this unfortunate event.

In the case of William Cushing, John N. Cushing, and Caleb Cushing v. The Owners of the Ship John Fraser and The Steamer General Clinch, the appellants argued that they were entitled to damages for a collision between their brig James Gray and two other vessels owned by respondents. They claimed that both ships had failed to take proper precautions when navigating in close proximity with each other which resulted in an accident causing damage to their vessel. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with this argument as it found no evidence that either ship was negligent or acted recklessly during navigation; instead it concluded that both vessels had taken reasonable care under prevailing circumstances at sea. Furthermore, since there was no negligence on behalf of either party involved in this incident then neither could be held liable for any resulting damages caused by the collision itself. Therefore, despite appellant's claims for compensation being denied due to lack of proof against respondents' actions leading up to said incident; ultimately justice prevailed as all parties were absolved from liability based on existing facts presented before court