The herald., 1893-06-27
Particulars of the Sinking Of
H. M. s. Victoria.
The Disaster Due to Delay in
0beying Orders.
It Occurred While Executing Diff
suit Maneuver.
The Responsibility saddled on Rear
Admiral Markham-Men Cut to
Pieces and Drowned In
Scalding Water.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
New YORK, June 26.-An extra edi-
ton OF the Evening World contains
special cable from Tripoli, Syria, giving
full details OF the sinking OF the flag ship
Victoria. About 3 O'Clock last Thurs
day afternoon the English fleet was
sighted, making directly for the harbor
OF TripoIi. Five big ironclads, Victoria,
Camperdown, Edinburgh, Nile and Sans
pariel, were drawn up in full front, the
Victoria in the center, the Camper
down on the left and the Edinburgh on
the right.
When, within five miles OF shore Vice
Admiral Sir George Tryon signaled to
turn and form in double line. When
the order was given the distance be-
tween the ships was less than two cable
lengths, and the execution of the order
was extremely difficult for the Victoria
and Camperdown.
FATAL HESITATION.
Admiral Markham, of the Camper
down, hesitated and signaled that he
did not understand. The other vessels
did not hesitate. so the Camperdown
also began to turn. The brief delay,
however, had been fatal. The Victoria
had nearly turned, and the Camperdown
swinging round. bore down upon her.
Both the admirals we're quick to act and
swung their vessels so as to receive at
the smallest angle the blow which both
Of inouituh hlo QnH tho
Csmperdown began reversing her
screws.
THE COLLISION TAKES PLACE.
The ram of the Camperdown struck
the Victoria just in front of the armored
bulkhead and plunged into the thin
plates of her stsrboard side. The other
vessels, moving to get into double
line we're moving down upon the en-
tangled chips, and o catastrophe
nent. Only the coolness and prompt
action Of the other commanders pre-.
vented general disaster.
1t seems that Admiral Tryon did not
realize the extent of the damage to the
Victoria, for when the other ships sig
nailed an offer of boats, he replied that
he did not need them
THE vIcToRIA's FATAL PLUNGE.
The Victoria began to forge straight
for the ehore, under full steam.
The discipline WAS perfect. The admiral
and officers remained steadfast upon the
bridge, and within five minutes after the
blow, diving suitwas brought on deck,
and diver was getting into it to obey
orders to 60 below and find out the ex-
tent Of the damage.
About 10 minutes after the blow, the
Victoria having got something like two
miles nearer shore, all at once leaned
way over to starboard, and with a great
roll and plunge buied her bow beneath
the calm eurface of the sea. 1t was al
most instantaneous.
IN THE AWFUL VORTEX.
There was only chance for few
wild cries, and the Victoria was almost
half submerged, bow foremost, with
swift revolving screws high in air.
Those on deck were thrown immedi-
ately into the water. The men forward
and below had no time to rush to the
deck, and there was but little more
time for those in the officers quarters.
The huge hull was drawing in water as it
went down, and several hundred men,
hurled suddenly into the water, fully
dressed, had to battle against the in
creasirg suction.
HORROR ADDED TO HORROR.
A moment more and peril more nor
rible descended upon them. As the
vessel sank the screws came nearer and
nearer to the water and descended into
the midst OF the struggling human be-
ings. They were drawn down and
thrown against the swift blades.
THE SEA RED WITH BLOOD.
Then came scene which made the
officers on the decks of the other war
chips turn away, sick with horror.
Screams and shrieks arose. and in
while the foam appeared Redeemed with
arms and legs and torn bodies. All
within reach of the vortex lost their
presence of mind. Men who knew how
to swim, ceased swimming and fought.
One man who was saved, says he saw in
the great vortex at leaet so of his fellows
fighting with each other in the presence
OF inevitable death. In moment or so
the knives disappeared and the vortex
began to close up.
IN WAVES OF sCALD DING WATER.
The ship was beneath the surface Just
as the whirl Swallowed almost to the
surface. Then there was muffied
sound of thunder; the waters were
tossed up aud steam burst from them.
Again shrieks and screams burst from
The swimmers. The boilers had ex-
ploded aud the swimmers were beating
IN waves OF scaldina water.
ADMIRAL TYRoN's BRAVERY.
With the first under plunge OF the
Victoria all the boats were called away
from the other ships and came straining
over the calm sea to save the strugglers.
The boats soon picked up the iortunste
ones who had got out OF the reach of the
terrible vortex. Admiral Tryon stuck |
On the bridge and refused TO leave it.
Just before the Victoria took the under
plunge be saw what was about to hap
aan and issued an order for cash man