THE "MACGREGOR LAIRD."

(1942) 74 Ll L Rep 29

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Langton, sitting with Captain W. R. Chaplin and Captain W. E. Crumplin, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision - Dragging collisions - Novus actus interveniens - Onus of proof - Plaintiffs' motor vessel Conus anchored in close proximity to defendants' motor vessel Macgregor Laird - Plaintiffs' motor vessel Clam moored alongside another vessel and astern of Conus - Dragging by Macgregor Laird across anchor cable of Conus, Conus coming ahead and colliding with Macgregor Laird - Subsequent collision between Conus and Clam, Clam breaking adrift - Port anchor of Clam let go - - Order to lower starboard anchor not heard on forecastle head and not immediately carried out - Collision between Clam and Macgregor Laird - Evidence of violent weather in the vicinity - Warning of impending bad weather - Whether Macgregor Laird properly anchored in the circumstances - Whether failure of Clam to let go her starboard anchor immediately she was broken adrift constituted novus actus interveniens.