THE "ATHELVICTOR."

(1944) 78 Ll.L.Rep. 529

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher.

Ship - Limitation of liability - "Improper navigation or management"-Life claims -Damage to property ashore and afloat- Explosion and fire following escape of petrol cargo from plaintiffs' ship in Lagos Harbour during discharge - Other ships sunk or damaged; damage to property ashore; loss of lives and personal injuries sustained ashore and afloat - Admitted negligence of ship's personnel in leaving sea valves open-Valves used for both ship and cargo purposes - Accident occurring without plaintiffs' actual fault or privity -Whether loss caused "by reason of the improper navigation or management of the ship"-Meaning of "management of the ship" as applied in limitation proceedings -Whether Court entitled to disregard the narrower interpretation adopted in construing the words "improper management of the ship" in bill of lading and similar cases-Admission by plaintiffs during hearing that even if accident was due to improper navigation they were not entitled to limitation in respect of claims for loss of life or personal injury ashore-Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, Sect. 503 (1)-Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1900, Sect. 1.