The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-11
THE VANGUARD COURT MARTIAL.

CAPTAIN DAwKINs REPRIMAEDED AND DISMISSED
FROM coMAIAND-THE CAUSE OF THE DIsAs-
OVERWHELMINGLY ON CLOSING WATERFRONT
DOORS.
From the London Daily News, Sept 80, 1871
The court martial Captain Dawkins, Lieutenant
Hathorn the officer OF the watch Navigating Leuen-
ant Thomas, the officers and ships company Of the
Vanguard for the loss OF their ship OF coast Of
Wicklow, the LIST of September in collision with the
Iron Duke, whilst sailing in the Reserve Squadron,
under Vice Admiral Sir Walter Tarleton, brought
10 conclusion day at its seventeenth sitting. The
court was opened shortly after ten, Rear Admiral Lord
John Hay, G. B., second in command Of the Channel
Squadron, presiding, all the members being
present before At a quarter-past ten the
court cleared to continue the deliberations
upon the decision which four hours consideration
had been given yesterday The Court reopened at two
O'clock and tho state cabin Of the Royal Adelaide
soon crowded by an interested assembly, chiefly com
posed of the officers Of the Iron Duke and Vanguard
and other ships IN harbor. place was reserved for
Lady Keppel and several ladies. Immediately on enter
ing the Court seen, by the point Of Captain Daw
kins sword, it lay the table being toward him,
that the decision adverse one. AS all
were assembled the Deputy Judge Advocate (bIr. W.
Eastake rose, at the bidding of Lord John Hay and
read the. finding of the Court as follows
FINDING.
Having heard the evidence which has been adduced
this inquiry and trial the Court is Of opinion that
the loss of the Vanguard occasoned by the Iron
Duke coming into collision with her off the Kish Bank
in the Irish Channel at about ten minutes to p.
M on the LIST OF September, from the effect of which
she foundered; that such collision was caused
Firstly the high rate of speed at which the squad
ron, of which these formed part, was proceeding
while in a fog
i Secondly Captain Dawkins, when leader OF his d.
vision leaving the deck of the ship before the evou
| ton which was being performed was completed, as
there were indications Of oggy weather at the time
Thirdly the unnecessary reduction in speed OF the
Vanguard without signal from the VICE Admiral in
command of the squadron and without the Vanguard
| making the proper signal to the Iron Duke
Fourh-By the increased speed of the Iron Duke
during dense fog the speed being already high
FVtA-By the Iron Duke improperly steering out Of
Shabby the want of any fog-signas the part Of
the Iron Duke
CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
The Court is further Of opinion that the cause Of
4 the loss of the Vanguard by laundering was breach
being made in her side by the Prov of the Iron Duke
in the neghborhood Of the most important transverse
of the bukhead namely that between the engine and
boiler rooms, causing great rush OF water into the
engine rooms, shaft alley and stokehole, eXtngushng
the fires in few minutes the water eventually finding
its way into the provision-room, fat and provision
rooms through mperfecty fastened waiortight DOORS
and owing the leakage OF ninety bulkhead Tho
Court is of opinion that the laundering OF the Vanguard
| might have been DELAYED If not averted by Captain
Dawkns giving orders for immediate action being taken
to get all available pumps worked instead Of employing
his crew in hosting out boats and If Captain Dawkins,
i
! and Mr.. David Tddy carpenter had shown
resource and energy in endeavoring TO stop
the breach from the outside with the means at their
command such as hammocks and sails; and the Court
is Of opinion that Captain Dawkns should have ordered
Captain Hickey, Of the Iron Duke, to tow Her Males
ty's ship Vanguard into shallow water The Court is of
opinion that blame mpuabe to Captain Dawkins for
exhibiting want Of Judgment and for neglect of duty in
handling his ship and that he showed want OF re-
| source, promptitude and decision in the means he
adopted for saving the Vanguard after the collision
The Court is further Of opinion that blame is mpuabe
| TO Navigating Lieutenant Thomas for neglect
OF duty In not pointing out to his Captain
that there was shoaleT water within short
distance and in not having offered any suggestion
as TO the stopping Of the leak the outside The Court
| rs further of opinion that Commander Tandy showed
great want Of energy second in command under the
circumstances. The Court is further of opinion that
Mr. Brown, the chief engineer showed want of prompt
tude in not applying the at his command TO re-
eve the ship Of water Tho Court further OF opinion
that blame is imputabe to Mr. David Tiddy of tho
Vanguard for not Offering any suggestions the Cap
tain the efficient mode Of stopping the leak
and for not taking immediate steps for sounding the
/ compartments and reporting from time 10 time the
progress of the water.
REpRrMASDED AND DISMISSED.
The Court adjudges Captain Richard Dawkins to be
severely reprmanded and dismissed from the Van
guard and he is hereby severely reprmandod and Sc
sentenced accordingly. The Court adjudges Com
mander Eastwood Golde Tandy and Navigating Lieu
tenant James Cambridge Thomas to be severely repr
manded and they are hereby severely rcprlmanded ac
| cordngly The Court adiudges Mr. Robert Brown,
chief engineer, and Mr. David Tiddy carpenter, be
! reprmanded, and they are hereby reprimandcd ac-
officers and ships company Of tho Vanguard in refer
to the loss of the ship, and they hereby
quilted accordingly.
The Court then dissolved
During the trial several members Of the court at
tended board the Triumph sister ship Of the VAN
guard for the purpose of accurately estimating what
time her watertight doors could DO closed The men
OF the Triumph closed their doors in few seconds less
than minute