SALVAGE AWARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1940, Page 18

SALVAGE AWARD

DESTROYER PARTICIPATES

WINDFALL FOR THE CREW

Seven officers and 138 men who formed the crew of H.M.S. Keith, a destroyer flotilla leader, last October are to share in a £3000 salvage award made in their favour by Mr. Justice Langton in the Admiralty Court. The Judge directed that the commander of the destroyer should be allocated £500;

Altogether Mr. Justice Langton made salvage awards totalling £ 17,200 against the Ernels Shipping Company, Ltd., of London, in respect of the salving.of their 7178-ton steamer Argos Hill, the salved value of which was stated to be £274,000. Messrs. W. H. Cockerline and Co., of Hull, owners of s.s. Corinthic (4823 tons), were given £10,000, her master £600, and crew £3600.

The Argos Hill had her* steering gear destroyed in a gale about 500 miles out in the Atlantic. The Corinthic went to her assistance and took her in tow. When about 200 miles from Falmouth H.M.S. Keith took over the towing, taking the Argos Hill 205 miles in forty hours. An Admiralty tug performed the final stages of the towage into harbour. ';

According to the Corinthic's case, the help she gave delayed her six days. Both the Corinthic and H.M.S. Keith contended that their services had subjected them to serious risk of enemy aircraft or submarine attack.

Although admitting salvage services, the Argos Hill denied that the risk was great, and further pleaded that H.M.S. Keith was not entitled to salvage. ■

Dealing with the right of officers and men of the Royal Navy to claim for salvage services, Mr. Justice Langton said that they would not be expected to ask for a reward if they merely performed some service in the nature of protection which might be strictly outside their ordinary duty. Where, however, as in this case, and even under orders, they undertook a serious, difficult, and arduous task in the nature of salvage and were subjected also to serious war risk, it was not to be supposed that they were not entitled to put forward a just claim. The present action had the sanction of the Admiralty. :

In a tribute to the skill shown by H.M.S. Keith, Mr. Justice Langton. who sat with two Trinity Masters, pointed out that a destroyer tied to a helpless merchant vessel provided a good target for an enemy submarine;