THE "EMPIRE OPOSSUM."

(1946) 80 Ll L Rep 276

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Willmer, sitting with Captain W. R. Chaplin and Captain G. C. H. Noakes, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision - Convoy - Fog - Breaking up of convoy - Approaching position for picking up pilot - Look-out - Speeds - Collision between steamships Stad Arnhem and Empire Opossum off Chebucto Head (N.S.) - Both vessels part of westbound convoy which had broken off from main body to proceed into Halifax Harbour - Fog signals of Empire Opossum heard ahead by Stad Arnhem - Engines of Stad Arnhem stopped when signals of Empire Opossum became more distinct - Vessels sighted by each other about ship's length away, Empire Opossum seen by Stad Arnhem to be lying athwart channel - Engines of Stad Arnhem put full astern - Engines of Empire Opossum (alleged to be then "lying stopped") first put full astern and then full ahead - Impact between stem of Stad Arnhem and starboard side of Empire Opossum - Whether Empire Opossum negligent in allowing herself to get athwart channel - Empire Opossum aware that other vessels were astern of her - Evidence that Empire Opossum had arrived at place where it was known she would be expected to pick up pilot - Allegation that Stad Arnhem approached such position at excessive speed.