The Hiram, Barker, Master was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1814. The case centered around the issue of whether or not a master of a vessel had authority to bind his owners for damages caused by an accident while at sea. The court held that masters do have such authority and can be held liable for any damage they cause while acting on behalf of their owners. This decision established important legal precedent regarding maritime law and clarified the responsibilities of shipmasters when it comes to accidents at sea. It also set forth clear guidelines as to how much responsibility should fall upon both masters and their employers in cases where negligence is involved.

In The Hiram, Barker, Master case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the master of a vessel who had been sued for damages by an injured seaman. Justice Story wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that under maritime law and custom, masters were not liable for injuries to their crew members unless they acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct. He argued that this was especially true when it came to cases involving seamen's wages; since wages were regulated by statute and contract between the parties involved, any disputes should be settled through arbitration rather than litigation. Furthermore, he contended that allowing such suits would create uncertainty among shipmasters as well as lead to increased costs associated with insurance premiums and legal fees. Ultimately Story concluded that Congress should pass legislation addressing these issues instead of relying on judicial interpretation alone.