WEBB v. OCEAN SALVAGE & TOWAGE COMPANY, LTD., AND WHITE.

(1947) 81 Ll.L.Rep. 30

KING'S BENCH DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pritchard.

Negligence - System of working - Personal injuries sustained by diver - Plaintiff diver engaged in salving of cargo from sunken wreck-Salvage operations being carried out by O. Co (plaintiff's employers) and W.-Practice for diver to place wire strop round piece of cargo and to attach strop to hook of hoisting wire-Signal then made to surface craft to hoist - Strop attached round wooden case and hoisting signal given - Case jammed-Sudden freeing of case, injuring plaintiff - Action brought against employers alleging breach of duty and against W. alleging negligence-Dispute as to cause of accident-Whether due to plaintiff's own negligence in prising the case free while the hoisting wire was taut or to rising and falling of salvage vessel in swell-Duty of salvage vessel to warn divers below of deteriorating conditions above.