Anderson

This is an appeal from a final decree in a limitation proceeding in admiralty, dismissing the claims filed, and exempting and discharging the owner of tho vessel from any and all loss, damage, destruction, or injury arising out of or upon a certain voyage. The material facts are as follows:

Tho steamship Victoria, owned by the Alaska Steamship Company, sailed from the port of Nome, Alaska, on August 22, 1924, and, after touching at several way ports in Alaska, arrived at Seattle, Wash., on September 4 of the same year. At the time of leaving Nome the vessel had on board 56 steerage passengers, but other passengers were taken on at different ports, until the vessel had on board 342 passengers, 190 of whom were steerage, when she left Drier Bay, the last port of call in Alaska. On the day after the arrival of the vessel at Seattle, 42 of the steerage passengers filed demands with the steamship company for $250 each for alleged breach of the contract of carriage on the voyage in question. Thereafter 30 of these commenced separate actions against the steamship company in the state court, claiming damages in the sum of $1,000 each for the like breach of contract, and 12 additional…