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.