The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-24
HUNDREDS WENT DOWN.
The Most Awful Naval Disaster of
Modern Times

Modern Times.
LONDON, June 23-The Victoria, which
flew the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir George
Tyron, <. c. B., was run into off Tripelis,
on the coast of Syria, by the British
ship CamperdowD, also belonging to
the Mediterranean squadron and under
command of Captain Charles Johnstone.
The Victoria has an enormous hole made
in hex side. through which the water
poured in torrents. Tie immense hull at
once began to settle and before those on
board could cast loose their small boats
she went TO the bottom carrying down
nearly all on board. Some of the officers
and crew managed to get out of the suction
caused by the sinking vessel and were
rescued. but among those lost was Vice
Admiral Trvon.
The first reports of the disaster stated
that about 200 men had been drowned, but
later dispatches show the loss of life was
far greater, not less than 400 officers
and crew of the Victoria having gone down
with the ship. The Victoria was a Twin
screw battIe-ship of 10.470 tons and 1900
horsepower mounting fifteen guns. The
Camperdown is also frst-class twin
screw battle-ship of 10.600 tons and 11,50O
horsepower and carries ten guns.
Admiral Sir George Tryon was COM
mander-in-chief On the Mediterranean
station. Rear-Admiral Albert FL. Mark
ham of the Trafalgar. the flagship of the
rear admiral in the Mediterranean, tee-
graphed the Admiralty from Ttipeis,
Syria, under date Of to-day as follows: 81
regret to report that while maneuvering
off Tripelis this afternoon the Victoria and
Camperdown collded. The Victoria sank
in fifteen minutes in eighty fathoms of
water. She lies bottom uppermost The
Camperdown's ram struck the Victoria
forward of the turret on the starboard
side. Twenty-one officers were drowned.
Two hundred and lfty-ive men were
saved. The injury TO the Camperdown is
not yet fully ascertained, but 1t is serious
and will necessitate her going on the dock
for repairs. 1 propose to send the sur
Vivors to Malta"
The Victoria carried 900 officers and
men. The officers drowned. in addition to
Trycn, include Chaplain Norris Lieulen-
ant Munroe, Fleet Paymaster Rickford,
Fleet Engineer Foreman, Engineer Hard
ing, Assistant Engineers Deadman, Hath
erly and Seaton, Gunner Howell, Boats
vain Barnard. Carpenter Beall. Midship-
men Inglis, Grieve, Fawkes, Henley,
Gambler, Scralett; Cadet Stocks, Clerks
Aklen and Savage.
AS soon as the officers of the Victoria
saw there was danger of the ship founder
ing orders were given TO close collision
bulkheads, to keep the water in the com
partment into which the Camperdown
showed her ram. The sailors tried to obey
the order, but the ship was making water
too fast to allow the closing of the bulk
heads, and while the men were still trying
IN I'm a y.it ite
guns ana heavy top hamper. turned over
and carried them down.
AS soon as the news Of the disaster be-
came known in London the Duke OF Edip-
burgh, lately promoted to the position Of
admiral Of the feet, visited The Admiralty
and conferred with the officials a meet
ing of the Admiralty Beard was also held
and telegram Of Instructions sent to Rear
Admiral Markham.
The news of the calamity caused the
most intense excitement, not only among
those who had friends on board the ILL.,
fated ship, but among all classes of popu-
lation. The Admiralty Office in Whitehall
was beseged by relatives and friends of
the officers and crew, reporters seeking
further details of the disaster and throDgs
Of people attracted by curiosity. So dense
was the throng IN the vicinity that the Ad-
miralty officials were compelled to sum-
mon The police to restrain the crowd.
All official kilograms in regard 10 the loss
of the ship were sent at once to the Queen
at Windsor Castle and as soon as her
Majesty received Rear Admiral Mark
hams dispatch shee gave orders for the
postponement Of the state bail to have
taken place at Buckingham Palace to-
night.
Gladstone was greatly shocked when in