The Nereide, Bennett, Master was a Supreme Court case in 1815 that dealt with the issue of prize money. The dispute arose when a French privateer captured an American vessel and its cargo during the War of 1812. The United States government then purchased the ship from France for $20,000 and sold it to Captain John Bennett for $30,000. Afterward, Bennett claimed he was entitled to all proceeds from selling off the cargo as well as any salvage value gained from rescuing other vessels taken by enemy forces while on his voyage back home. However, this claim was challenged by several parties who argued that they were also entitled to some portion of these funds due to their involvement in helping capture or rescue those vessels. Ultimately, after much deliberation over conflicting claims and interests between various individuals involved in capturing or rescuing ships at sea during wartime conditions; it was determined that Captain John Bennett should receive two-thirds of all proceeds earned through sale or salvage operations related to his voyage home with the remaining one-third being divided among those who had helped him along his journey according to their respective contributions made towards such efforts.

In The Nereide, Bennett, Master (1815), the Supreme Court issued a dissenting opinion that argued against the majority's decision to affirm a lower court ruling. Justice Story argued that although there was evidence of negligence on behalf of the master and crew in failing to properly secure cargo aboard their vessel, this should not be considered as an absolute bar for recovery from damages sustained during a voyage. He further contended that if such negligence were held as an absolute bar then it would discourage masters and crews from taking reasonable precautions when securing cargo because they could no longer recover any losses due to their own fault or neglect. Therefore, he concluded that even though some degree of fault may have been present on behalf of those responsible for loading and securing the cargo aboard The Nereide, they should still be allowed to recover damages caused by perils at sea beyond their control.