First Sentence

"If one were to reflect on the possible functions of a court with special expertise over maritime problems, one would probably surmise that such a court could be used in three broad areas: to settle the many and varied disputes which arose our of the commercial carriage of goods by sea; to reduce friction with foreign princes by adjudicating conflicts which grew out of the capture or plunder of the ships of other states especially in time of war; and to try, convict and sentence individuals for crimes committed aboard ships beyond the knowledge of any jury and outside the jurisdiction of any land-based court."