The record-union., 1893-07-03
Official News Relating to the Sink.
ing of the British Warship.
ADMIRAL MARKHAMS VERSION OF
THE COLLISION.
Vice-AdmiraI Tryon Gave the Order
Which Resulted in the LamentabIe
CataStrophe-Capt Bourlle of the
Victoria Also Makes a Report OF the
Affair, as Do Other Officers on
Board the nl-Fated Vessel.
special to the REcorp-UN1oN.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
LONDON, July "a midshipman from
the Mediterranean squadron arrived here
this morning bearing dispatches concern
ing the Victoria aCampcrdown collision.
He went directly to the admiralty office,
where the admiralty board was awaiting
his coming. After reading the dispatches
they decided to publish them in full.
The first dispatch, dated from the
Camperdown June I'D, was from Rear
Admiral Markham. After reporting the
loss of the ship involving the loss of
Vice-Admiral George Tryon and p Off
GERS and 1876 men, he recites the circum-
stances of the sQuadron's formation Just
before the accident, and continuing, says:
"When about five miles from anchorage
off Tripoli, signal was made to form the
columns of the divisions in line ahead,
disposed abeam to port columns to be six
cable lengths apart.
"We proceeded in this formation until
a signal was made from the Victoria for
the first division to turn sixteen points TO
port, and the second sixteen points to
starboard. AS the columns were only
six cable lengths apart, it was not, in my
opinion, possible to execute the evolu-
ton. l directed the flag lieutenant to
signal that the order was not understood.
I ordered prepared a counter signal ask
ing instructions, but before it was carried
out the commander-in-chief signaled TO
know what l was waiting for. Having
the fullest confidence in the great ability
of the commander to maneuver the fleet
l ordered the signal hoisted that l under
stood.
''The helm of the Camperdown was put
hard aport, and at the same time the
! Victoria was starboarded. l watched
very carefully the movement of the Vic
toria, indicating the purpose of her signal
AS the two ships turned toward each
other, and seeing the helm Of the Victoria
still starboard, directed the Captain of
the Camperdown to go full speed astern
with the starboard screw, in order to de-
crease the circle of turning. Seeing a
collision inevitable, L then ordered him
at full speed astern, but before her head
way was materially checked the Camper
down struck the Victoria and crushed
into the ship almost to the center.
ut was, | think, quite two minutes be-
fore the Camperdown, although going at
full speed astern. was able to get clear of
the Victoria. Seeing the critical condition
of the Victoria, boats were Immediately
prepared, when a signal was hoisted by
the Victoria not to send boats. A very
| few minutes later she keeled over to star
board, and, turning bottom upward, dis
appeared"
Markham then rectes the efforts made
to rescue the men. He states that moth
| ing of importance was recovered from the
| Victoria. The injuries to the Camper
down are serious, but he hoped could be
temporarily repaired so she might be
! sent to Malta.
| He closes with an expression of the
deep grief and sorrow among the Medi-
terranean squadron at the lamentable
catastrophe. and pays high tribute to
! the ability and personal character of Sir
\ George Tryon.
| Hon. Maurice Bourke, Captain of the
| Victoria, says: after the technical reci-
tation of this order I directed the mid
shipman to observe closely the distance
of the Camperdown. l reported to the
commander that it was too close, and
asked permission to reverse the port
! screw. This was done, and just before
the collision both engines were going at
| full speed astern. When the collision was
seen to be inevitable, orders were given
to close the water-tight compartments. L
asked if everything was right, and was
answered with yes, but by whom l
could not say"
Staff Commander Hawkins Smith and
Lieutenant Heath of the Victoria also
make reports, which are purely technical.
Lord Clifford, Flag Lieutenant of the
| Victoria, in his report says, after reciting
the details of tho collision: 81 reported
then to Admiral Tryon the lowering of
the boats. He thereupon made general
signal to send no boats. After the col
| lision the staff commander reported to
the Admiral that they were in seventy or
eighty fathoms Of water, and the helm
then starboarded and both engines went
half-speed ahead. A minute afterward
the steering gear broke, the quartermas-
ter reporting that he was unable to move
the wheel. The Admiral ordered Clifford
| below to see ii the ship was making water
after, and while carrying out the order
/ the vessel sank.