THE "BRITISH DILIGENCE." THE "COMANCHEE."

(1944) 78 Ll.L.Rep. 266

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher, sitting with Captain W. E. Crumplin and Captain T. L. Owen, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision-Convoy-Double collision in fog- Alteration of course-Helm and engine action - Collision between steamship Biafra and motor vessel British Diligence, followed shortly afterwards by collision between Biafra and motor vessel Comanchee - Ships in convoy, with Biafra, the commodore ship, at head of fifth column, and Comanchee astern of her-British Diligence at head of column to starboard of Biafra-Ships in process of wheeling to port by stages in accordance with signals sounded by commodore -Porting by British Diligence to avoid unknown ship approaching on starboard beam, resulting in British Diligence finding herself in close proximity to Comanchee on port beam-Starboarding by British Diligence to resume her convoy course after unknown ship had sheered off to starboard-Loom of Biafra seen ahead -Collision with Biafra in spite of helm and engine action taken by British Diligence-Serious damage to Biafra causing her engines to stop and lights to fail, rendering her in a helpless condition -Starboarding by Comanchee to resume her convoy course, after British Diligence had disappeared in fog ahead-Loom of British Diligence sighted ahead, apparently crossing course of Comanchee from starboard to port-Hard-a-porting by Comanchee to avoid-Loom of Biafra sighted ahead almost immediately afterwards -Collision between Comanchee and Biafra in spite of full astern action- Claims brought by Biafra against British Diligence and Comanchee-Counterclaims by British Diligence against Biafra and by Comanchee against Biafra and British Diligence.