The herald., 1893-07-03
Official Reports on the Late
Victoria Disaster.
Rear.Admiral Markham Tells
How it Occurred.
The Captain of the Ill-Fated Vessel
Also Describes 1t.
Other Officers Give Their Version of tn e
Afair-All Agree That the Vice
Admiral's Orders We're
Ill-Advised.
By the Associated Press.l


LONDON, July "A midshipman from
the Mediterranean squadron arrived
here this morning bearing dispatches
concerning the Victoria-C -Camperdown
collision, He went directly to the ad-
miralty office where the admiralty board
were awaiting his coming. After read
ing the dispatcheR they decided to pub
lish them in full.
The first dispatch dates from the
Camperdown June s22d, from Rear-Ad-
miral Markham. After reporting the
loss Of the ship, involving the loss of
Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon and %
officers and 1886 men, he recites the cir
Gums tances of the squadron's formation
just before the accident, and continuing,
says:
"When about five miles from the an
chorage off Tripoli, q signal was made
to form in columns of divisions in line
ahead, disposed abeam to port columns
to be eix cable lengths apart. We pro-
ceeded in this formation until signal
was made from the Victaria for
the frat division to turn 16 points to
port and the second 16 points to star
board. AS the columns were only ak
cable lengths apart, it was not, in my
opinion, possible to execute the evo-
luton. I directed the flag lieutenant
to signal that the order was not un-
derstood. ordered the prepared coun-
ter signal, asking instructions, but be-
fore it was carried out, the commander
in-chief signaled to know what / WAS
waiting for. Having the fullest conf
dence in the great ability of the COM
mander to maneuver, | ordered the
signal hoisted that I understood. The
helm of the Camperdown was put hard
aport, and at the same time the Victoria
Htarboarded. l watched very carefully
the movemento of the Victoria. indicating
the purpose OF her signal. AS the two
ships turned toward each other, and see
ing the helm OF the Victoria still star
board. I directed the captain OF the
-7r--i aatern with the star-
Doard bCIUv, UTucT TO ueCr6uuU TIE
circle of turning. Seeing collision
was inevitable,I then ordered him to
full speed astern, but before the head
way was materially checked, the Cam
perdown struck the Victoria and crushed
into the ship almost to ths center. 1t
was, | think, quite two minutes before
the Camperdown, although going full
speed astern, was able to get clear OF
the Victoria. Seeing the critical condi-
tion OF the Viotoris. boata we're iname-
diately prepared. when a signal was
hoisted by the Victoria not 10 send
bosts. A very few minutes later che
kealed over to starboard and turning
bottom upwards disappeared"
Markham then recitea the efforts
made to rescue the men, but states that
nothing of Importance was rescued from
the Victoria. The injuries to the Cam
perdown were serious, But he hoped
could be temporarily repaired 80 che
might be sent to Malta. He closes with
an expression of deep grief and sorrow
among the Mediterranean squadron at
the lamentable catastrophe, and pays a
high tribute to tho ability and personal
character of Sir George Tryon.
Hon. Maurice Bourke, captain OF the
Victoria. in his report, Gays, after
technical recitation of the vice-edmiral's
order: II directed midshipman to
observe closely the distance of the
Camperdown. I reported to the COM
mander that it was too close, and asked
permission to reverse the port screw.
This was done, and just before the colli-
sion both engines were going full speed
aHtern. When a collision was seen to
be inevitable, orders were given to c.oee
the water-tight CON apartments. l asked
if everything was tight, and was an
swered with yes, but by whom could
not saw"
staff. commander Hawkins Smith and
Lieutenant Heath of the Victoria also
mako reports which are purely tech
nical.
Sord Guilford, flag lieutenant of the
Viccoria, in his report, says, after re-
citing the details of the collision: II
reported to Admiral Dreadnaught the
lowering of the boats. He thereupon
made q general signal to send no
boats. After the collision the staff
commander reported to the admiral
that they were in 70 or 80 fathoms of
water, and the helm was then star
boarded and both engines wen. at half
speed ahead. A minute afterwards the
steering gear broke, the quartermaster
he was unable TO move the
wheel. The admiral ordered mo below
to see if the shipwas making water aft,
and while carrying out the order, the
vessel sank."