THE "BALTYK."

(1946) 80 Ll.L.Rep. 668

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher.

Towage - Contract - Hire of tugs for towage purposes - Negligence of tug - Liability of hirers - Plaintiff canal company's tug hired by defendant shipowners to assist steamship B. from Manchester to Eastham - Tug engaged on plaintiffs' usual terms "that on the hiring of the company's tugs for towage, docking, piloting, or assistance services, the master and crew of such tugs, become in all respects the servants of and are identified with the ship, and are under the control of the person in charge of the ship, whilst the towage, docking, piloting, or assistance services are being performed" - Tug cast off at Partington to enable B. to bunker, tug berthing at adjacent tip during bunkering - Tug summoned by whistle signal from B. to continue towage - Collision between tug and steamer S.C. (bound up the canal) before again making fast to B. - Negligence of tug - Blame apportioned between tug and S.C. - Right of tugowners to be indemnified by defendant shipowners under towage contract - Construction of contract - Contra proferentem.