Despite a clear history of refusing repair work to the South Fork Dam , which had been advocated by , most especially , general manager of the Cambria Iron Company and member of the 40th United States Congress and of the 41st United States Congress , Daniel Johnson Morrell , who had become a member for the express purpose of monitoring the dam 's condition ; club members Knox and Reed were able to fend off four lawsuits seeking responsibility for the Johnstown Flood of 1889 against the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club , stewards of the dam , Colonel Unger , its president , and against 50 named members . Each case was " either settled or discontinued and , as far as is known , no one bringing action profited thereby . " The Club was never held legally responsible for the disaster . Knox and Reed successfully argued that the dam 's failure was an natural disaster which was an Act of God , and no legal compensation was paid to the survivors of the flood . The perceived injustice aided the acceptance of “ strict , joint , and several liability , ” so that a “ non-negligent defendant could be held liable for damage caused by the unnatural use of land
Johnstown Flood
Johnstown Flood
Reed Smith