THE "SODALITY."

(1950) 84 Ll.L.Rep. 329

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher, sitting with Commodore R. L. F. Hubbard and Commodore T. L. Owen, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision-Look-out-Confused signal- Helm action-Narrow channel-Collision between plaintiffs' steamship Kornat and defendants' motor vessel Sodality in King's Channel, Thames Estuary-Kornat, on course of N. 37 E., reducing her way preparatory to dropping her pilot; Sodality on course of S.W. by S. 12 S.-Masthead and green lights of Sodality sighted by Kornat fine on starboard bow, at distance of about one mile-Confused signal sounded by Sodality when about four cables distant, which Kornat assumed to be port helm signal-Hard-a-porting by Kornat, followed by astern action when she realized that Sodality was swinging to starboard across her bows -Impact between stem of Kornat and port side of Sodality-Plaintiffs' claim not proceeded with as Kornat was found on drydocking to have sustained no damage-Case presented on defendants' counterclaim-Alleged negligence of Kornat in hard-a-porting and in failing to take astern action immediately confused signal was sounded by Sodality-Whether collision occurred within narrow channel.