H.M.S. "VANITY."

(1945) 79 Ll.L.Rep. 594

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

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

Collision-Ship manoeuvring to join convoy- Sailing without lights-Look-out-Helm and engine action - Applicability of Collision Regulations-Collision between steamship Welsh Trader and H.M.S Vanity off mouth of River Humber- Welsh Trader, outward bound from River Humber, under instructions to join southbound convoy-Loom of H.M.S. Vanity (escorting south-bound convoy) sighted close to (600 to 700 ft.) on port bow-Port light of Welsh Trader put on and off- No alteration of course and speed by Welsh Trader-No evidence that Welsh Trader had reached pre-arranged convoy rendezvous-Welsh Trader sighted by H.M.S. Vanity about 400 yards distant on starboard beam, apparently on parallel course-Dimmed lights switched on, her wheel ported and later hard-a-starboarded with engines full speed ahead-Impact between stem of Welsh Trader and starboard side of H.M.S. Vanity-H.M.S. Vanity unaware that ships would be joining her convoy from River Humber- Action brought by Welsh Trader against commanding officer of H.M.S. Vanity- Court informed that cross-action by Lords Commissioners of Admiralty against Welsh Trader was pending.