References: [1919] 2 KB 670
Coram: Bailhache J
(Year?) The steamship was insured under a time policy against perils of the sea and stranding, and under further insurance against risks excluded under the first, particularly risks of hostile action. It was in a convoy of four ships zig zagging in the dark under the command of a naval officer to avoid possible torpedos. The court considered whether a merchant ship had been acting when in convoy as a military vessel: ‘sailing in convoy on a chosen route and taking precautionary measures [zig-zagging] necessary because of the presence of hostile submarines had led to the vessel being stranded. It was subsequently torpedoed’.
Held: There was no negligence on the part of the ship’s master or of the naval officer. The loss was not he proximate consequence of warlike operations, and responsibilty fell on the insurers, and not the King.
This case is cited by:
- Appeal from – Britain Steamship Company Limited -v- The King and Others (‘The Matiana’) CA ([1919] 2 KB 670)
The court was asked wheter a merchant vessel was acting a a military ship when in convoy.
Held: The appeal succeeded. Warrington LJ said: ‘Of course the sailing with convoy may easily assume the character of a warlike operation; if the convoy . . - At First instance – Britain Steamship Company Limited -v- The King and Others (‘The Matiana’) HL ([1921] 1 AC 99)
The House considered the relationship between a merchant vessel in convoy and a convoying naval vessel.
Held: The appeal succeeded. Lord Atkinson: ‘With all respect, I am quite unable to concur in the learned judge’s view that the merchant . . - Cited – Fogg and Ledgard -v- The Secretary of State for Defence, John Short Admn (Bailii, [2005] EWHC 2888 (Admin), Times 13-Jan-06)
The applicants sought judicial review of a decision of the respondent not to name the wreck of the merchant ship SS STORAA as a protected site under the 1986 Act. It had been a merchant ship forming part of a convoy, and was sunk by enemy action in . .
(This list may be incomplete)
Last Update: 19-Jan-16 Ref: 237696
