THE "EMPIRE BRENT."

(1947) 81 Ll L Rep 306

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Willmer, sitting with Commodore R. L. F. Hubbard and Captain W. R. Chaplin, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision - River - Narrow channel rule - Crossing rule - Collision between steamships Stormont and Empire Brent in River Mersey-Stormont bound up; Empire Brent bound down-Green of Empire Brent seen by Stormont approximately ahead-Porting by Stormont (no signal being sounded)-Green of Stormont seen by Empire Brent (according to her witnesses) on her port bow-Vessels then three-quarters of a mile apart-Starboarding by Empire Brent, signal being sounded -Further porting by Stormont, signal then being sounded-Further cross-signals exchanged-Engines of Empire Brent then put astern-Impact between stem of Empire Brent and starboard side aft of Stormont - Stormont beached, subsequently becoming total loss-Whether (1) assuming the green of the Stormont was open on the port bow of the Empire Brent, the Empire Brent was in breach of the crossing rule in starboarding; (2) assuming the vessels were green to green and in safety, the Empire Brent was to blame for starboarding-Collision Regulations, Art. 25.