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.