The sun., 1893-07-01
ADMIRAL TRYON'S FAULT.
HIS ORDER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE
VICTORIA DISASTER.

The Ships Were But Six Cable Lengths
Apart and II was Impossible for Ther, to
Turn Is Point, without Coiii.iou-The
Survivors Reach vaIetts, Malta, on the
Cruisers Edgar and Phaeton-s7 Omeers
and eo7 Men Saved from the Victoria.
LONDON. July Ia despatch to the Daily
Ne,cs from Malta says 1t is learned that the
Victoria was struck just in the rear OF her
foremost turret the ram cutting into her to
its full length.
The blow smashed up the foremost bulkhead
OF the boiler room, and tho water, rushing
down the tunnels as the vessel heeled over.
caused the explosions that were heard ae the
ship sank.
The Campefdown left her n gure- head on tho
Victoria's moss deck.
The Tines's correspondent at Malta says that
in spite Of the interdict placed upon the mouths
OF the survivors he learns that Vice Admiral
Tryon admitted that the accident was all his
fault
Rear Admiral Markham. realizing tho im-
possibility OF executing the order to devate
sixteen points. while the columns were 80
close, did not respond promptly. but the Vic
toria siRnalled. "whatare you doing2" There
upon the Camperdown obeyed the order.
1t is asserted that STAFF Commander Smith
Of the Victoria remarked to Vice Admiral
Tryon. There is no room for the ships to turn
in" But Tryon replied. Let her 60" Then
1t became question which ship would strike
the other
All the ships in tho feet. seeing the danger.
began to lower and send Off boats to the aid OF
the Victoria's Grew. but Vice-Admiral Tryon.
evidently believing that the Victoria would
float. ordered the boats back to their ships
The Camperdown. nevertheless. sent her boats
to the rescue. Tryon's chief anxiety was for
the safety OF his ship
1t ia asserted that the yictoria's water-tight
com partments were not closed. The men were
ordered to close them. but some OF the bulk
heads could not be closed Capt. Bourke. SEQ
ing that 1t was i'm possible to save the ship. or
dered the men to save themselves as best they
could.
vice-Admral Tryon remained on the vessel
till she sank. thirteen minutes after the COL
lision happened. Many who succeeded in
scrambling or to the bottom OF the ship as she
turned over were killed by being struck by tho
blades OF the propellers.
The Camperdown had a narrow escape from
sinking. When she reached Tripoli. after the
accident. she was five feet down by the bows.
In consequence OF the collision between the
Victoria and Camperdown the other ships Of
the feet incurred great risk Of colliding also.
The Camperdown Is expected to arrive at
Malta on Wednesday next Paymaster Rick
ard was rescued alive. but, like others. was
injured by spars floating from the sinkiEJ
ship.
special despatch received at Plymouth
from Malta confirms the cause Of the disas-
ter. 1t is clear beyond controversy that
II the order signalled from the Victoria
had been fully executed. every pair Of ships In
the feet would have come into collision. The
other vessels. however. observed what would
happen in time to prevent disaster to the whole
squadron.
vALErrA. Malta. June 3O.-Ths British cruis.
ers Edgar and Phaeton Of the Mediterranean
squadron arrived here to-day. having on board
the surviving officers and crew Of tho battle
ship Victoria. which was sunk of Tripoli.
Syria, on June %. by collision with the Camper
down. Largo crowds had gathered every
where along the water front to await their
coming. Everybody was excited and eager to-
learn the full particulars Of the catastrophe.
AS soon as tho two cruisers were reported OF
the port many small boats conveying relatives
and friends Of the survivors and number Of
relatives Of those who had lost their lives
put outside the harbor to meet them. Tho
cruisers came into port slowly. allowing the
small boats to keep up with them without
much difficulty. The survivors crowded along
the bulwarks Of the cruisers. calling to their
friends in the small boats and answering as
fully as possible the hundreds of questions put
to them by everybody within halling distance.
Every available craft In tho hsrbor was
crowded and the bastions Of the Notifications
were black with people. As the warships
slowly steame ed to their anchorage cheer upon
cheer broke from the crowds on the shore. and
they were taken up and repeated by those on
the cruisers Business was partly suspended
tha off ayarvho1V haipN tntanaalv aDyiaua
to see the men who had escaped. and to learn
from them. II possible, everything concerning
the frightful disaster. A number Of natives OF
Malta were in the crew OF the Victoria, and 1t
is known now that ninety Maltese went down
with her.
As soon as the Edgar and Phaeton came to
anchor, preparations we're made on board Of
them to transfer the survivors to the coast de-
fence ship Orion. which is stationed here.
The transfer was soon made. Four officers
and twenty one men, who are sick or who were
hurt In the accident, were among the number
transferred. All the sick and injured are do
ing we'll. The Edgar brought 18 officers and
l4o men. and the Phaeton 8 officers and 127
men. total OF ~ officers and 2e7 men.
The representatiyc here Of the United
ers 81 ths surRsors " the and
stories told by them a. conhrm A. ths report aato t.i
United Press there.
whole aflair. after detailing how the ram ofth !
Campordown stove an enormous hole In the
hull Of tho Victoria below the water line said |
that almost Immediately after the collision tho |
Victoria began to settle by the head and |
in four minutes she turned partly Rl ever
added that he did not sec single man jump |
over board until the order was given for every |
person % save himself. Many Of the mon were
at safe distance from the ship, before, she |
turn cd completely over and went down. They |
were caught In the vortex caused by the found |
erlnR shiD. and their strength and. ability as
swimmers ayaiIed nothing against the suction. |
which drew them down.
When the ship was lying on her beam ends
the engines continued to work. and one OF the |
two screws. which was com pletely out OF the |
water. raced at a very high speed. The other
screw was submerged. and its revolutions
in a strong current toward Its rapidly rav9y.
were caught in this, current. and. desDite all
the screw and killed. Perfect discipline pre-
vailed from the time the Victoria was struck
until the order was given to abandon ship
A sailor who was OF the crew OF the Victoria
said that he was below wnen the collision
When he felt the shock he started