SWIFT v. REARDON SMITH LINE, LTD., AND JOSEPH RANK, LTD.

[1951] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 1

COURT OF APPEAL.

Before Lord Justice Bucknill, Lord Justice Singleton and Lord Justice Birkett.

Negligence - Safe plant - Faulty derrick -Defective span wire-Duty of inspection -Alleged negligence of stevedores -Fatal accident to dock labourer employed by stevedores (second defendants) engaged in unloading grain in bulk from first defendants' steamship in dock at Birkenhead - Dismantling of partition in feeder box - Use of derrick to remove stiffener - Snapping of span wire when power applied - Collapse of derrick - Action brought by widow against shipowners and against stevedores-Right of stevedores to indemnity -Cause of break in span wire - Evidence of recent statutory inspection and surveying of ship's gear by engineering firm and of condition of span wire at time of accident-Alleged improper jerking of wire by stevedores' winchman - Liability under Docks Regulations, 1934-Regulations 18 (b), 20 (a), 49.