It fears being next in line of fire for the financial markets.

Said the report: "Measurements place the bullet indentation directly in line of fire between the captain's back and anyone standing in the aisleway between and slightly to the rear of the captain's and first officer's seats."

When the German raider opened up she was directly in line of fire, was struck at once, despite the gallant efforts of the Jervis Bay to take the full blow.

He would have been quite safe had he fallen in behind his captain and unwilling companion, for they would not have ventured a shot from the ship with Ruth in line of fire.