This case was a dispute between the administratrix of the estate of a deceased seaman and the National Steamship Company. The seaman had been employed by the company and had died while on board one of their ships. The administratrix of the estate brought a suit against the company for damages, claiming that the death was caused by the negligence of the company. The Supreme Court held that the company was liable for the death of the seaman. The Court found that the company had failed to provide a safe working environment for the seaman, and that this negligence had caused his death. The Court also held that the company was liable for the damages suffered by the administratrix of the estate. The Court noted that the seaman had been employed by the company and that the company had a duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees. The Court also held that the company was liable for the costs of the suit brought by the administratrix of the estate. The Court noted that the company had failed to provide a safe working environment for the seaman, and that this negligence had caused his death. The Court also held that the company was liable for the damages suffered by the administratrix of the estate.

In Gray, Administratrix v. National Steamship Company, the Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a steamship company could be held liable for damages caused by an explosion on one of its vessels. The majority opinion found that the company was not liable because it had taken reasonable precautions against such an event and could not have foreseen or prevented it from occurring. However, Justice Field dissented from this ruling and argued that the company should be held responsible for any damage caused by its vessel regardless of whether they took reasonable steps to prevent it or not. He reasoned that since the ship belonged to them and they were in control of it at all times, they should bear responsibility if something goes wrong with their property even if there is no negligence involved. Furthermore, he noted that allowing companies like this one to escape liability would create a dangerous precedent where people are discouraged from taking proper care when operating ships due to lack of accountability which would ultimately lead to more accidents in future cases.