Crash. Bang. Wallop

As prangs go, Commander Richard Farrington's little adventure with HMS Nottingham is impressive. The destroyer has several holes in its hull after hitting Wolfe Rock near Lord Howe Island in the south Pacific. Although Commander Farrington was not on the bridge at the time, as captain he is responsible for what happens on, or in this case to, his ship.

At the time of the dent, the Commander described it as "character-building stuff". But it turns out the damage may be worse than first thought. No reversing off the gatepost and driving down to the local garage this time. The scrape is so extensive that the destroyer may have to be scrapped. In which case it may well prove to have been the most expensive crash in British naval history. And the Navy doesn't even have cover for third party, fire and theft on its £300m vessel. That will certainly push Commander Farrington's premiums up.