THE "HOMEFIRE" AND THE "RIO."

(1936) 54 Ll.L.Rep. 367

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Bucknill, Sitting with Captain A. H. Ryley and Captain W. E. Crumplin, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision between dumb barge Henry and steamship Homefire near Cannon Street Railway Bridge, River Thames -Henry driving up river; Homefire bound down river-Tug Rio (towing barges) also bound up river-Flood tide-Henry passed by Rio at London Bridge, Rio navigating to pass through northern arch of Cannon Street Bridge -Homefire navigating to pass through same arch-Stopping of Homefire's engines above Southwark Bridge on sighting Rio-Port helm signals exchanged -Homefire's engines put slow ahead-Porting by Homefire to avoid Rio, followed by hard-a-starboarding to avoid collision with northern abutment of arch-Subsequent collision with southern abutment of arch, followed by collision with Henry- Whether Homefire justified in assuming that the Rio, having sounded a port helm signal, would go through the middle arch of Cannon Street Bridge -Whether practicable for Rio to go through middle arch-Thames By-laws, Rule 36 (b).