THE "COVERDALE" AND THE "DOROTHY."

(1945) 79 Ll.L.Rep. 30

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Bucknill, sitting with Captain W. R. Chaplin, Elder Brother of Trinity House.

Collision-River-Barges in tow-Plaintiffs' barges Voltaic and Welcome Home and defendants' barges Coverdale and Dorothy in tow of tug Addie in River Severn- Plaintiffs' barges lying first and second and defendants' barges lying third and fourth in flotilla-Flotilla bound down from Sharpness to Avonmouth-Parting of tow rope between Welcome Home and Coverdale while navigating the "Shoots" -Turning of tug to pick up Coverdale and Dorothy which were adrift-Inability of Welcome Home to conform to manoeuvres of tug, resulting in Welcome Home running into Voltaic-Admitted towage difficulties in vicinity of collision-Duty to pay special regard to tow ropes-Efficiency of tow rope between Welcome Home and Coverdale-Cause of collision-Whether tug justified in turning round immediately barges were adrift-Novus actus interveniens.