§189. Limitation of liability of owners of vessels for debts
The individual liability of a shipowner shall be limited to the proportion of any or all debts and liabilities that his individual share of the vessel bears to the whole; and the aggregate liabilities of all the owners of a vessel on account of the same shall not exceed the value of such vessels and freight pending: Provided, That this provision shall not prevent any claimant from joining all the owners in one action; nor shall the same apply to wages due to persons employed by said shipowners.
(June 26, 1884, ch. 121, §18,
Codification
This section was enacted as part of the Shipping Act of 1884.
The original text of the proviso read as follows: "Provided, That this provision shall not affect the liability of any owner incurred previous to the passage of this act, nor prevent any claimant from joining all the owners in one action; nor shall the same apply to wages due to persons employed by said shipowners."
The provision concerning liabilities previously incurred was omitted.
Cross References
Other provisions relating to the liability of vessels, their owners, agents, or charterers, see sections 190 to 195 of this Appendix.
Section as applicable to all seagoing vessels and all vessels used on lakes or rivers or on inland navigation, see section 188 of this Appendix.
Vessels within application of this section, see section 188 of this Appendix.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 188 of this Appendix.