THE "NO. 14" (HOPPER).

(1946) 80 Ll.L.Rep. 258

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

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

Collision - River - Barges (in tow) turning in River Thames - Duty to avoid - Collision between hopper No. 14 and barges Lentil and Leader, sternmost of six barges in tow of tug Regal - Regal and tow bound up; No. 14 bound down - Flood tide - Tug Grappler (with five barges in tow) also bound up and a little ahead and southward of Regal - Turning signal sounded by Grappler, followed by her rounding under port helm - Engines of Regal stopped to enable Grappler to complete her turning movement and No. 14 to pass - Barges Lentil and Leader found to be tailing to southward - Engines of Regal put ahead in endeavour to straighten up barges - Engines of No. 14 reduced to "slow," then to "stop" and later full astern - Sheer to port - Impact between No. 14 and Lentil - Lentil and Leader broken adrift.