T. Kulasekaram J:

2,523 pieces of Ramin logs were shipped on board the barge L 2600 and towed by this tug Jeddy X for carriage from Pulau Pisau and Paminggir, Indonesia to Singapore under two bills of lading dated 29 August and 15 September 1974 and numbered 1/74.

The said barge and tug left for Singapore on 19 September 1974 and while still in Indonesian waters had to be diverted to Sampit Bay, Indonesia where soon after arrival on 21 September 1974 the barge which was heavily listing to port was grounded. Singapore Salvage Engineers, a Singapore firm of salvors inspected and carried out salvage operations at the request of the appellants. Apparently this cargo of Ramin logs had been damaged by sea water.

Arising out of those transactions the plaintiffs/ respondents as the owners or the persons entitled to the delivery of the cargo of Ramin logs comprised in the said two bills of lading commenced an Admiralty Action in RemNo. 305/ 75 against the owners of the barge L 2600 as first defendants and against the owners of vessels Jeddy IV, Jeddy VII, Jeddy XI and Jeddy XII as second defendants for damages and loss suffered by them and in the same action sued Amerco Timbe