THE "DAGEID."

(1946) 80 Ll L Rep 225

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher, sitting with Captain G. Curteis and Captain G. C. H. Noakes, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision - Convoy - Defective steering gear - Failure to keep station - Right of following vessel to overtake - Inevitable accident - Collision between motor vessels Erinna and Dageid, units in same convoy, with Erinna astern of Dageid - Failure of Dageid's steering gear - Starboarding by Erinna when she found that Dageid was losing her headway - Sheer to port by Dageid followed by sheer to starboard - "Not under command" lights exhibited by Dageid - Impact between stem of Dageid and port side of Erinna - Collision prima facie due to failure of steering gear - Cause of failure - Onus of proof - Whether Dageid should have exhibited her "not under command" lights sooner - Criticism of engine action taken by each vessel - Whether Erinna was negligent in attempting to overhaul the Dageid - Conflicting advice from Elder Brethren as to engine action which should have been taken by Dageid.