THE "BENRINNES."

(1945) 79 Ll.L.Rep. 541

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Willmer, sitting with Captain G. Curteis and Captain C. St. G. Glasson, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision - River - Starboard-hand rule - Channel obstructed by anchored vessels- Vessel moving into fairway - Collision between motor vessel British Gratitude and steamship Benrinnes in Gravesend Reach, River Thames, in broad daylight- British Gratitude (in ballast) bound down river-S.W. gale-Anchored vessels lying wind-roe in mid-channel with their sterns to northward-British Gratitude navigated to northward of anchored vessels-Benrinnes (laden), originally at anchor down river of anchored vessels, nosing her way from behind anchored vessels to pass up river-Vessels sighted by each other-Starboarding by British Gratitude in an attempt to pass as closely as possible to sterns of anchored vessels- Porting by Benrinnes-Duty of vessels to pass port to port-Contention that it was not "safe and practicable" for deep-draughted Benrinnes to starboard - Meaning of "fairway"-Whether British Gratitude was under duty to pass to southward of anchored vessels-Look-out-Port of London River By-laws, 1938, Rule 38.