The S. S. Osborne was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1881. The case involved a dispute between the owners of the S. S. Osborne, a steamship, and the owners of the S. S. City of New York, a sailing vessel. The dispute arose when the S. S. Osborne collided with the S. S. City of New York, causing damage to the latter vessel. The owners of the S. S. City of New York sued the owners of the S. S. Osborne for damages. The Supreme Court held that the owners of the S. S. Osborne were liable for the damages caused by the collision. The Court reasoned that the S. S. Osborne was a steamship and was therefore bound by the rules of navigation applicable to steamships. The Court further held that the owners of the S. S. Osborne had failed to exercise due care and caution in navigating the vessel, and thus were liable for the damages caused by the collision. In conclusion, the Supreme Court held that the owners of the S. S. Osborne were liable for the damages caused by the collision with the S. S. City of New York. The Court reasoned that the owners of the S. S. Osborne had failed to exercise due care and caution in navigating the vessel, and thus were liable for the damages caused by the collision.

In the case of The S.S. Osborne, Justice Field delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the majority's decision was wrong and should be reversed. He believed that the lower court had correctly determined that there was no contract between the parties involved in this dispute, as it did not meet all of the requirements for an enforceable agreement under maritime law. Furthermore, he argued that even if there were a valid contract between them, it would still be unenforceable due to its lack of consideration or mutuality of obligation on both sides; thus making any claim by either party invalid and void from inception. Finally, Justice Field asserted his belief that since neither party could prove their respective claims against each other with sufficient evidence at trial then they should have been dismissed without prejudice so as to allow further proceedings if necessary in order to determine who is entitled to what rights or remedies under applicable laws and regulations governing such matters at sea.