LATHAM v. ROSS & MARSHALL, LTD., AND ANOTHER.

(1945) 79 Ll.L.Rep. 561

KING'S BENCH DIVISION.

Before Lord Goddard (Lord Chief Justice).

Negligence-Explosion on board ship due to petrol leaking from pump - Engineer killed-Action brought by widow against first defendants (managers of ship) and second defendants (suppliers of pump)- Pump designed for general A.R.P. purposes - Engine, pump and petrol tank, forming one unit, installed below deck- Cause of explosion-Whether ventilation adequate-Board of Trade recommendation that petrol tank should be fitted apart from rest of unit - Discovery of petrol fumes by engineers - Engineers unable to detect leak-Increase in petrol fumes-Engineers unable to enter pump-room to turn off petrol owing to heavy fumes - Explosion, killing engineer and sinking ship - Whether engineers were negligent in failing to stop engine immediately they discovered petrol fume -Evidence of satisfactory running tests- Duty of first defendants-Liability of second defendants.