The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-06-30
THE YICT0RIA'S VICTIMS.
HOW THEY WERE KILLED.


A special from Tripoll, Syria, to the New
York World gives the following details OF the
sinking Of the Victoria, after she was struck
by the Camperdown:
1t seemed that Admiral Tryon did not fe-
Alixo the extent Of thedamage to the Victoria.
A. no accident Of exactly this kind has hap
peued before he could not know what the
effect Of the hole In the compartment was &c
DO. He no doubt thought that ~ only one
compartment was damaged the others would
keep bis ship anoat, 30 when the Camperdowp
and the other ships signalled of,ers Of the
boats he replied that he did not need them.
The Victoria began to forge straight fot
the shore under full steam Its one Of the
rules Of the British navy that II ship ID iE
danger Of sinking, and the shore IL not far
away, she must DO got into shallow water, 30
that II she goes down she may be raised again.
30 Admiral Tryon was making for the shore
and was widening the distance between the
Victoria and the other ships.
About ten minutes after the blow the Vic
toria, having got something like two miics
nearer shore from the scene Of the collision
all At once leaned away over TO tho starboard
and with great roll and plunge buried her
bow beneath the sea. It was almost IN
stantaneous. There was only q chance for q
few Wild cries and the Victoria was almost,
submerged bow foremost, with her swiftly
revolving screws shlrring clear Of the water
and high in tho air. Those on deck were,
plunged Immediately into the water. The
men forward and below had no time TO rush
on deck but found themselves cropping for
doors Of rooms hlled with water and CON-
pressed air.
The huge hull was drawing Ia the water -
1t went down and several hundred men,
hurled suddenly into the water, fully dressed,
had to battle against the increasing suction.
moment later new peril descended upon
them. Tho great engine, deep in the hears
Of the hull and enclosed in water-tight COM
partments, was still throbbing at full speed
and the great steel aanges Of the twin-screws
were whirling around IN tile air. As the YES
sci sunk the screws came nearer and nearer
to the water and descended into the midst Of
the struggling human beings.
The vessel sank slowly, and when the screws
were low enough to begin 10 whirl In the
water again the suction had increased until
there was decping vortex like maclstrom.
AT tic bottom Of the maelstrom the screws
were revolving like circular knives. The poor
creatures battled In vain against the suction.
They were drawn down aud in against the
swiftly-rcvolving blades.
Then came scene which made the officers
on the decks Of the other warships OF the
fleet turn away sick with horror. Screams
and shrlcks arose, aud In the white foam ap-
peared redeemed arms and legs and wrcnchcd
and torn bodies. Headless trunks were tossed
- 4 ha t.I
surface and sink out Of sight.
One man who escaped says that he saw In
this vortex at least nifty NJ his fellows fight
Ing with each other and with inevitable;
death. In moment or so the knives disap--
peared and the vortex began to close up, the
ship wns beneath the surface.
Just as the swirl was Swallowed almost TO
the surface, there was n mufilcd sound Of
thunder, the waters were tossed up and the
steam burst from them. Again the shrieks OF
pain burst from the swimmers The bollers
had cxpiodcd-the sea had rushed into the
furnace and the swimmers were beating waves
OF scaldIng water.
Thus In less than ten minutes death Ia threa
awful forms attacked the officers and crew OF
the victoria-dcath by drowning, death by
knife-likc SCREWS and death by scalding
water.
With tho frat uuderplunee Of tho victoris.
all the boats pulled away from all the other
ships and came quickly over the calm sea 70.
save the strugglers. These boata were soon
picking up the fortunate ones who had GOT
out of reach Of the terrible vortex. 80 long
NJ the vortex WAS there the boats dared not
venture near, but they did lift from the scald-
Ing water several wrctchcd sailors who were
horribly burned. 1t Is thought that moro
than half Of those drowned got out Of the
ship, but were caught In tho vortex or scsldcd
to death.