The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-06-27
THE LOSS Of THE VICTORIA
Under. Which The Ac
GidGnt Occurred.
HBARTRBaDING STORY FOLD
No Alarm Felt Immediately Arter The
Accident-The Ship Sunk Almost
without Warning.
HEARTRBaDING STORY FOLD.
Associated Press.

New YORK, June Z6.-Tne extra edl-
ton of the Evening World contains
special cable from Tripoli, Syria, CIV
ing the full details of the sinking of
the flagship Victoria. About o'clock
last Thursday afternoon the English
fleet was signaled making directly for
the harbor Of Tripoli, Five of the big
iron-clads-the Victoria, Camperdown,
Edinburgh, Nile and Sanspareil-were
drawn up in full front, the Victoria in
the center, the Camperdown on the left
and the Edinburgh on the right When
within five miles of the shore Vice
Admiral Sir George Tyron signalled to
turn and form a double line. When
the order was given, the distance be-
tween the ships was less than two
cables length, and the execution of the
order extremely difficult for the Vic
toria and the Camperdown. Admiral
Markham Of the Camperdown, signalled
that he did not understand the signal.
The other vessels not only hesitated,
but also began to turn The brief de-
lay, however was fatal. The Victoria
turned, and the Camperdown, swing
ing around, bore down upon her. Both
admirals were quick to act, and swung
their vessels so as to receive at the
smallest angle the blow which they
saw was inevitable, and the Camper
down began reversing her screws. The
ram of the Camperdown struck the
Victoria just in front Of her armored
bulkhead, and plunged into the thin
plated armor on her starboard side.
The other vessels bore down into
double line upon the entangled ships,
and catastrophe involving all the
iron-clads was imminent. Only the
GOODNESS and prompt action by the
other commanders prevented q general
disaster. 1t seems that Admiral Tyron
did not realize the extent of damage
to the Victoria, for when the other
ships signalled "offers of boats" he
replied that he did not need them. The
Victoria began to forge straight for
shore under full head of steam. The
discipline was perfect. Admiral Tyron
and officers remained steadfast upon
the bridge. and within five minutes af-
ter the blow he ordered that q diving
suit be brought on deck, and a diver
getting into 1t obeyed the order to go
below and find out the extent Of the
damage. About ten minutes after the
blow the Victoria, having got some
thing like two miles nearer shore, all
at once leaned away over to the star
board, and with great roll and
plunge buried her bow beneath the
sea. 1t was almost instantaneous.
There was only chance for a few
wild cries, and the Victoria was al
most half submerged, the bow fore
wost, with the swiftly revolving screws
high in the air. The second deck was
thrown Immediately into the water
The poor creatures battled in vain
against the suction. They were drawn
down and thrown against the swiftly
revolving blades. Then came scene
which made the officers on the decks of
the other ships Of the fleet turned away
sick with horror. Screams and shrieks
arose, and in the white foam appeared
Redeemed arms and legs, and wrenched
and torn bodies All within reach Of
the vortex lost their presence of mind
The men who knew how to swim
ceased swimming and fought in a mo-
ment or so with knives then they dis
and the vortex began to close
up. The other vessels soon picked up
fortunate ones who got out of the reach |
If the terrible vortex. Admiral Tyron |
stuck on the bridge and refused to
cave 1t. Just before the Victoria |
made her final plugne he saw what
vas about to happen and issued an or
Ter for each man to save himself: but
hat order never got beyond the bridge.
rhe peril Of those in the water was In
,reased by the fact that the sea was In
ested by sharks. 1t was the duty Of |
he marines when the collision occurred
o Immediately close all The water
light compartments. When the Cam
,erdown struck the Victoria the ma
ines went below for duty, and as a
'esult, Of 12O marines on the Victoria,
9 were lost.