This Supreme Court case involved a dispute between the claimants and appellants, Thomas C. Durant, Charles W. Durant and Septimus Lathrop (the Durants), who owned the steamboat New York, her tackle, apparel etc., and Isaac P. Rea who was the owner of the brig Sarah Johanna. The Durants had filed an appeal in response to a decision by a district court that found them liable for damages caused when their steamboat collided with Rea's brig while they were both sailing on Lake Ontario in 1853. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the Durants as it determined that they had been negligent in failing to take proper precautions before entering into open water which resulted in their vessel colliding with Rea's ship causing damage to his property; thus making them responsible for paying restitution for those damages incurred by him due to this incident.

In the dissenting opinion of this case, Justice McLean argued that the claimants and appellants should have been awarded damages for their losses. He believed that under maritime law, they were entitled to compensation for any damage caused by a vessel in collision with another ship. The majority opinion had found that since there was no evidence of negligence on either side, neither party could be held liable for damages. However, Justice McLean disagreed and stated that even if both vessels acted properly during the incident, one must still bear responsibility when an accident occurs at sea. Therefore he concluded that it was unjust to deny the claimants' claim without awarding them some form of reparation or indemnity as provided by maritime law.