Steamboat Burns was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of strict liability for maritime accidents. The case arose from a steamboat accident in 1869, when the steamboat "Burns" exploded while traveling on the Mississippi River. The explosion killed several passengers and crew members, and injured many more. The case was brought to the Supreme Court by the survivors of the accident, who argued that the steamboat's owners were liable for the damages caused by the explosion. The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the owners of the steamboat were strictly liable for the damages caused by the explosion, regardless of whether they were negligent or not. This ruling established the principle of strict liability for maritime accidents, which is still in effect today. The ruling in Steamboat Burns was a major victory for the survivors of the accident, as it allowed them to seek compensation for their losses. It also established a precedent for future maritime accidents, ensuring that those responsible for such accidents would be held accountable for their actions.

In the case of Steamboat Burns, 1869, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a steamboat owner could be held liable for damages caused by an explosion on board. The majority opinion found that since there had been no negligence or fault on behalf of the owner in causing the explosion, they were not responsible for any resulting damage. However, Justice Field dissented from this opinion and argued that even if there was no negligence involved in causing the explosion itself, it did not necessarily absolve them from responsibility for any damages caused as a result. He reasoned that when someone owns property such as a steamboat which is used by others and can cause harm to those users through its operation or use then they should bear some responsibility regardless of their own actions leading up to it. In his view this would help ensure safety standards are met and maintained so similar accidents do not occur again in future.