Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-11-20
NEARLr 900 LIVES LOST.


a British Cruiser and Crew LOst--Out OF
276 Souls There Are But Three Sur
vivors--The Craft Struck and Filled
Before Boats Could he Launched.
LONDON, Nov. 13.-Addltional details
regarding the loss of the British torpedo
cruiser, Serpent, have been received here
from Corunna. The disaster occurred
at II o'clock Monday night. A heavy
storm was prevailing, and the night was
densely black. when the vessel struck
her keel was torn off, and great hole
was stove in her bottom. She slipped
off the rocks into deep water and imme-
diately foundered, tons of water rushing
through the hole in her hull. A ma
iority Of the officers and crew were
below when the vessel struck, and she
sank so quickly afterward that none of
them had time to reach the deck.
The disaster so was sudden and com
plete that it was impossible for those
who were on deck to get a boat into the
water. The time between the striking
and the sinking of the vessel was so
short that nearly all on board went
down without making sign. The sailors
who managed to reach the shore near
Camarinas were badly cut and bruised
by being thrown BY the sea against the
rocks and when they reached land they
were exhausted by their struggle They
were taken to a hospital where they yet
remain. Orders have been sent to them
from London to proceed to England as
soon as they are in condition to do so.
The admiralty will hold an investiga-
ton into the circumstances attending
the loss of the Serpent and the three
survivors will be called upon to give
the evidence.
The queen has again telegraphed ask
ing for information regarding the
disaster and expressing her sympathy
with the families of the officers and
crew who lost heir lives. 1t is officially
stated that the Serpent had become par
TALLY disabled before proceeding on her
voyage. Her commanding officer there
fore decided to put into Corunna or
Vigo and while attempting to make
port the vessel was lost.
THE disaster referred to is briefly told
in cablegram last night as follows
The British torpedo cruiser Serpent has
feundered off the coast of Spain. out
of total Of $50 persons on board only
three were saved.
The disaster occurred at a point 20
hines HOTlu u ldpe rlHlsleITe. lilt
Serpent went on the rocks during a
storm Monday night. A heavy mist
prevailed at the SINE of the disaster.
Owing to the violence of the storm, it
was impossible to send assistance from
the shore. Tremendous seas swept the
decks Of the vessel, carrying away
group after group of the men on board.
The Serpent's complement was TO
officers and men. The others on board
were going out to relieve men now on
ships on the African station.
The Serpent started last Saturday on
her maiden voyage. She was commits
stoned for service in Africa last June,
but was detained by several mishaps TO
her machinery. She and her consorts
were cordially disliked by the service.
The Serpent has bad record. She
broke down more than once in the
maneuyres of 1888. Several admirals
condemned the whole class as crank.
An official telegram from Corunna
says that the Serpent was wrecked off
Cape Buoy, near the village Of Cana.
rinas. There were 276 persons aboard,
of whom only three were saved, The
bodies of three ladies have been washed
ashore.