St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-03
CAPT. BoURKE's STORY.
A Survivor of the Victoria Tells
81 of the Disaster.


LONDON, July 2.-Hon. Maurice A.
Bourke, the captain of the Victoria,
sends to the admiralty letter dated
Ii. M. S. Nile, June %. Capt. 'Bourke
recites technically his orders up to the
point of making the turn.
The signal was hoisted for the first
division to alter course sixteen points
to port and the second division to alter
course sixteen points to Starboard, the
leaders together, the rest IN succession.
The fagShip's helm was put hard to
starboard, and l directed a midshipman
to observe closely the distance of the
Camperdown. l reported to the COM
mander that 1t was too Gloss,
and asked permission to re-
verse the port screw. This
was done, and just before the COLI sion
both engines were going at full sp eed
astern. The ship had turned twelve or
thirteen points when the Camperdown
struck the Victoria III the starboard
bow about ten feet abaft the anchor.
The Camperdown's bow came right
through into the ship as far as into the
chain lockers, and burst IN. the bulk
head between the fore mess deck and
the stOkers' mess deck. When the col
liSiOG was seen to be inevitable, orders
were given to close the Water-tight
doors. l called round and asked if
everything was tight, and was answered
with yes but by whom could not say.
L heard the order for every one to go on
deck, and the men in the fiat wnere |
was on the starboard side all went
up. l then got upon the mess deck and
att, and down into the starboard engine
room. The engines were being Worke
and l heard the gOngs of the telegraph.
There was no water in the engine room.
L went back to the after bridge, where
all were at their stations, to get out the
boats. The ships company i'll great
numbers were on the port side of the
upper deck. l then went along the port
fore -and-aft bridge to the admiral, the
ship having heavy list to the star
board. Just as | reached the cutters
foremost davit on the port side the ship
gave great lurch Starboard, and [
clutched at the rail. | found myself
sucked down, but came up to the sur
face again among the wreckage. | with
many others was picked up by the
Niles boats. The conduct and Steadi-
ness of all at thoir stations was beyond
praise. There was no panic of any sort
or description.
Staff Commander Hawkins Smith and
Lieut.. Eeath, of the Victoria, also
make reports. The former says the
Victoria was headed III for land to get
into shoal water. She gradually filled
to the bow and listed over to starboard.
Heath was OH duty as executive officer.
Lord Clifford, flag lieutenant of the
Victoria, said the admiral wished the
distance between columns to be six
cables.
About 3:15," he says, "the admiral
m mo On dnnG- aud al flor fau
on tine afterbridge went forward to the
top of the fore charthouse. About 3:25,
hoisted, by the admirafs order. the
signal Second division alter course in
succession sixteen points to starboard,
preaerving order of the fleet; first dlvis-
ION alter course sixteen points to port,
preserving order of fleet"
"While this was flying the admiral
ordered the following signal to be got
ready: Columns to be two cables apart,
and all ships will turn together with
their guides as the guide OF the fleet
turns
The last ship to answer the above sig
mails, as far as | could see. was the Cam
perdOwn. About $50. as soon as she
haC answered, the signal was hauled
down by order OF the admiral. There
upon the Victoria put her helm hard to
starboard and the Camperdown put
hers hard apOrt. | ordered three mid
shipmen to watch the speed and helm
signals of the Camperdown, Edinburgh
and Nile. No alteration, however, was
reported to me other than that the
Camperdown'S helm was heing put hard
over. On the signal being hauled down
and collision appearing likely with the
CamperdOWn, the port engines were
reversed, and almost Immediately after
wards the Starboard engines also. |
reported to the admiral that the Dread
naught was lowering boats. He there
upon made general signal to annul the
sending of boats.
After the collision the admiral re-
maiued on deck. He asked the staff
commander what water we were in, and
the staff commander replied: Deep
water; seventy or eighty fathomS.
The helm was then put hard starboard,
and both engines went half speed
ahead. The ship gathered Roadway,
swinging slowly to port. A minute aft
erwardS the steering gear broke down,
the quartermaster reporting that he was
unable to move the wheel. During this
time the ship, gradually heeling more
and more to starboard. and the water
rising rapidly over the forecastle, the
admiral ordered ME to go down and ask
the captain if the ship was making any
water aft"
In endeavoring to carry out the ad-
miraPs orders he was washed away by
the rising waters, and when he came to
the surface caught sight of the Victoria
sinking bow first.