The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-03
LOSS OF VICTORIA.
Rear Admiral Markham Re-
ports on the Disaster.
DUE TO A CARELESS ORDER.
vles-Admiral 1rysa Had Net Calealstsd
ne Distance Properly, aad The Colli-
slen Resulted tatsments Agree.

LcSpoS. July IA midshipman from
the Mediterranean squadron arrived
here this morning bearing dispatches con-
corning the victori-Camperdown collision.
He went directly to the admiralty office.
where the admiralty board awaited his
coming. After reading the dispatches.
they decided TO publish them in full forth
with. The first dispatch dates from the
"Camperdown, June o." and was from
Rear Admiral Markham. After reporting
the loss Of the ship, involving the loss OF
Vice Admiral Sir George Tryon. twenty
two officers and 336 men, he recites the cir
cumstances of the squadron's formation
just before the accident and continuing
says:
When about nvs miles from anchorage. Oh
Tripoli. the signal Was made to form columns
Of division in line ahead. the starboard abeam
to the port columns. to be six cable lengths
apart We proceeded in this formation until
the signal was made from the Victoria for the
first division to turn sixteen points to port and
the second sixteen points to the starooard. A.
the columns were only six cable lengths apart
1t was not, in my opinion. possible
70 execute the evolution. directed the
dag lieutenant to signal that the order was
not understood. ordered prepar counter
signal. asking inssru stions. but b fore 1t could
be carried out the commander-in-c.' 81 signaled
to know what l was waiting for Having the
fullest confidence in the great nility OF tho
commander % maneuver the fleet ordered tho
signal hoistcd that ! understood. The helm
OF the Camperdown was put hard eport,
and at the same time the Victoria starboarded.
Watched very carefully the movement OF the
Victoria, as indicating the purpose Of her signal
As the two ships turned towards each other.
and seeing the helm OF the Victoria still star
boarded, directed the captain of the Camper
down TO go full speed astern with the starboard
screw, In order to decrease the circle OF turning.
Seeing that collis,on vas inevitable. then Or
dered him to 60 full speed astcrn, but be-
fore her Roadway was materially checked
the Campcrdown struck the Victoria
and crushed into the ship almost
to the center. 1t was. 1 think. quite two
minutes before the Camperdown. although so.
ing at full speed astern, was able to get cle}
OF the Victoria. Seeing the critical condition
of the Victoria, the boats were Immediately
prepared. when the signal Was hOisted by the
Victoria not tn send the boats. 4 very few
minutes later she keeled over to starboard and.
turning bottom upwards, disappeared. $1,000
Markham then recites thAeffopts made
to rescue the men, and states that nothing
of importance was recovered from the
Victoria. The injuries to the Camper
down were serious. but he hoped they
could Do temporarily repaired 20 that she
might be sent to Malta. He closes with
the expression Of deep grief and sorrow
among tho Mediterranean squadron. He
says it was q lamentable catastrophe, and
pays high tribute to the ability and per-
sonal character Of Sir George Tryon.
Hon. Maurice Bourke, captain Of the
Victoria, in his report says, after tech
nical recitation of his orders:
Idirectcd q midshipman 70 observe closely
the distance of the Campsrdown. reported to
the commander that II was too close and asked
permission to reverse the port screw. This waa
done. and Just before the collision both engines
were going full speed sstern. When the col
lisiou was seen to be inevitable orders were
given to close the wa,er-ught compartments
asked If everything was tight and was answered
with, "Yes." but BY whom could not say.
Staff Commander Hawkins Smith and
Lieut.. Heath, Of the Victoria. also made re-
ports. which were purely technical. Lord
Clifford, flag lieutenant Of the Victoria, in
his report Gays, after reciting the details
of tho collision:
1 reported to Admiral Dreadnaught the
lowering of the boasA He thereupon made q
general signal to send no boatA Alter the
collision the staff commander reported tO
the admiral that they were In seventy
| or eighty fathoms OF water and the helm was
then starboarded and both engines went hall
speed ahead. A minute afterwards the steer
ing gear broke. the qusrtermaster rspossing tina,
he was unable to move the wheel
The admiral ordered Clifford below to
see if the ship was taking water aft. and
while carrying out this order the vessel
sunk.