Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-07-20
AS MARKHAM SAW IT
The Rear Admiral Tells Ms Story
Of the Victoria Disaster.
he NEVER SAW THE mANEuyRe
Pur6,ru,ed Ressse--Afses shs Beats
Turned Eight Points ~ Acck0sns
Cou1d Nos Have lsccn Pyeveaae1

VALErrA. Malta. July k&-At tuo
court martial today the first witness
called was Rear Admiral Markham.
whose flag was flying ON the campss-
down At tho time she ran into and sank
TIE Victoria When questioned - 20
the impression made upon him when the
signal Of vice-Admisal 1yron was
hoisted on the Victoria. ordering that
the distance between the two colunns
10 six cable lengths. Rear Admiral
Markham replied that when the signal
was read he said 10 his nag lieutenant:
THAT is impossible. since it IL an i'm
practicable maneuyer."
lilo said that when he signallcd 10 tho
Victoria that hc did not quite under
stand the signal. the Victoria answered
that the Campcrslown Was delaying the
maneuvers. Ii then occurred 20 the
witness that he uss 10 put the helm of
the CampeElown down and turn her
sixteen points 10 starboard, while the
Victoria would ease her helm and circle
round on the outside Of the division.
which was being led by the Camperdown-
In reply to further questions, hear
Admiral Markham stated that when he
saw the victorias helm signals were not
altered; he ordered Captain Johnstone
TO reverse the Camperdown's starbooed
screw and 20 close the water tight doors
in case of a collision. The order was
communicated by Captain Johnstone to
the proper officers and wac promptly
obeycd. Soon aftcrward Real Admiral
Markham saw that collision was in
evitable and an order to go astern with
both engines was signalled. When the
signal on the Victoria was hauled down.
the Camperdown was powerless TO avoid
q collision.
Order. Not Properly Executed
Rear Admiral Markham also said that
he was not aware that the engines of
the Campcrtiown were working ut only
three quarter speed, although the yes
sells speed was not Icssened. as he had
expected after the signal TO go full
speed astern" was given. He thought
that n the order had been properly exc
cuted the damage inflicted upon the
Tictor,a would not have been 80 great.
When questioned as 10 his plac.
ing two meanings on the signals, he
said that as all the other cap
tains Of the fiect answered the signal
they interpreted il in the same way
that he did and the squadron has
passed the bearings Of it's intended an
chorage there was not much time to ask
questions When he found that the
Tictoria had put her helm hard ever 1t
was too late 10 rectify any mistakes
The rear admiral said that he had
never seen either man@uver performed
before. IF Vice Admiral 1ryon had
circled around me-" he said. 1T would
have preserved the effect. I am sure
that l could have done nothing 10 pre-
vent the collision after the Victoria had
turned eight points with their bows on
each other II had gone astern with
both screws the Edinburg would have
rammed me.
II assume entire responsibility for the
management of the ship. Although l
did not give Captain Johnston instruc-
tions il / had done 90. he would have
executed my orders"
Icing questioned about Tryon's men,
orandum, Rear Admiral Markham said;
1T was assured in consequence of the
stranding Of the Howe. IL Is difficult 10
say whether or not the signal not to
send boats 10 the Victoria caused a
greater fatality. :as Admiral Tryon
wanted 10 steer towards land and the
boats would have hampercd him. besides
the boats were got in readiness. notwith-
standing the signal
Did Not Expisct Explanations
The rear admiral further said that he
did not expect any scmaphore explana-
ton OF Tryon's signal. although he adj
mitted that such an explanation was
sometimes given. He had often per
formed evoluiions without perceiving
their object. which was only explained
10y the commander in chief afterwards.
lie had never before received a signal
that caused doubts as 10 the safety oi
of it's execution. but he had implicit
confidence in Vice Admiral Tryon. and
therefore be felt no anxiety about obey
ing his orders
Flag Lieutenant bradshaw of the
Campcrdown was next examined. lie
corroborated the testimony of Rear Ad-
miral Markham.
Captain Johnstone of the Camper
down also gave testimony similar "a
that Of the rear admiral He said that
he considered that Tryon's memoran
DUN had no bearing on the case. The
witness thought il extremely dangerous
a. act contrary 90 commanders orders
for mancuvre which had teen caro-
fully considered and worked out maihe-
matically. Rear Admiral Markham
Interpretation of Tryon's orieI
seemed the only reasonable one that
Captain Johnstonc said come q water
tight Compartments of the Campersowr
remained open because the rush q
water prevented them from being cie~ssi
Ne was unable 20 say whether h'
thought at the time that he was work
ing the ship on bis own responsibility q
was merely executing Resr Admirs
Markhams orders but he Was ready 4
accept full resps.nsshsilt, for the man
acem.nt ~ the Vessel. lie believed tba
the leader II the isrst division had fh'