ADMIRALTY WARNED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 22 December 1932, Page 7

ADMIRALTY WARNED.

FATAL COLLISION SEQUEL. “Traffic on trade routes should ho allowed to be ca.rried on in peace time undisturbed by imaginary war,” said Mr Justice Scrutton, in the Appeal Court. He gave judgment in dismissing tho appeal from the owners of the French liner Florida, which collided with the aircraft-carrier Glorious on April 1, 1931, with the loss of 22 lives. The Lower Court had held that both vessels were to blame, hut chiefly the Florida. Mr Justice Scrutton added that if manoeuvres especially involving aircraft-carriers, which were continually shifting with the wind, had to-be performed in foggy weather, it would be wise if tho great Admiralties ensured tlie avoidance of trade routes.

Nineteen aeroplanes from tho Glorious wore taking part in manoeuvres in the Mediterranean Sea on April 1, 1931, when one was forced into tlie sea. Rushing to the aeroplane’s at a speed of 1 ( knots, in tho mist, in tho performance of her duty as “mother,” the Glorious crashed into tho Florida, cutting a gaping hole in the vessel’s port bow iho Florida did not sink, but a number of immigrants, who were in a hold m the centre-line of the vessel, wero killed instantly. The Glorious lost four aeroplanes, which were forced into the sea, but the crews were saved.