St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-24
The First dispatches

concerning the accident led TO the De-
lief that the disaster had occurred off
the coast of Tripoli, in N orthern Africa.
Later advices show the calamity hap
pened off Tripoll, seaport on the
Eastern Mediterranean, fifty miles from
Beyrut. Syria, and a comparatively short
distance from the Island OF Cyprus.
The Eastern Mediterranean has
proved a most unfortunate cruising
ground for the Victoria, for as above
stated. it was in this part of the sea that
she met with her serious accident in
January, 1892. In January of last year
the Victoria ran aground off the Greek
coast near Platea, and she was only
fioated off after an immense amount of
labor and large expense. 1t was said
that this accident was due to
carelessness. A boats crew from
the Victoria was sent to mark
with, a buoy shoal, the existence
of which was known to the VictOria'S
officers. The shoal is a narrow one,
and extends out from the Greek shore,
the boats crew was instructed to pro-
ceed along the shoal from the shore
until ten fathoms of water was reached,
and then to mark the spot with buoy.
When. within 100 yards of the end, the
boat got off the Shoal. and, as the next
the buoy was anchored. The Victoria
then came along at good rate of speed
at right angles to the shoal to take po-
sition for torpedo practice, and, passing
we'll outside the buoy, struck the ShOal
and remained fast. Hon. Maurice
Bourke, captain of the Victoria and a
son of the late Earl Of Mayo. who is the
youngest post captain in the British
navy, was held responsible for the acci-
dent and was severely reprimanded by
a court martial.
Besie.ing the Admiralty.
AS soon as the disaster became known
in London, the Duke of Edinburgh, who
was lately promoted to the position OF
admiral of the fleet, visited the admir-
atty and conferred with the officials
there. A meeting of the admiralty
board was held and telegram of III
StructiOnS was sent to Rear Admiral
Markham. The news of the calamity
has caused the most intense excitement.
not only among those who had friends
OH board the ill-fated ship, but among
all classes of the population. The ad-
miralty office in Whitehall is beSieged
by relatives ana friends of the officers
and crew, reporters seeking further de-
tails of the disaster and throngs
of people attracted by curiosity.
So dense was the throng in
the vicinity that the admiralty
officials were compelled TO summon the
police to restrain the crowd. No inform
alton has been received at the admir-
ality since the receipt Of Rear Admiral
Markham's first official telegram, which
is above repeated. All official kilograms
in regard to the loss of the ship will be
of
castle. AS soon as her majesty received
Rear Admiral Markham's dispatch,
which was Immediately forwarded to
her, she gave orders for the postpone
ment of the state ball that was to have
taken place at Buckingham palace to-
night.
Number Oh Board.
Mr.. Gladstone was greatly shocked
when he was informed of the sinking
of the Victoria and the great loss of life
that had attended the foundeIing
of the vessel. The prime min
lister informed the house of COM
mons of the accident and paid most
glowing tribute to the worth OF Vice
Admiral Tryon. who he said was one of
the abIeSt and most esteemed officers III
her maiestys service. MIR. Gladstone
said there were Gil officers and seamen,
boys and men, and 107 marines on
board the ship. 1t was feared of this
total of 71S souls, 430 had been lost. He
was sure that the deepest sympathy of
the house would be felt for the brave
men who had found an early grave in
the service of their country. and that it
would be extended to their relatives
and friends.
Rt. Hon. Lord George Hamilton, for.
merly first lord of the admiralty. in
dorsed everything that MIR. Gladstone
had said, and expressed the deepest re-
gret for the calamity that had befallen
the country in the loss of SO many
brave officers and men.
In the house of lords, Earl Spencer,
first lord of the admiralty, referred to
the disaster in terms similar to those
employed by Mr.. Gladstone in the house
of comnrons. Among those saved is Rt.
Hon. Lord Richard Clifford, Vice Ad-
miral Tryon's flag lieutenant, and eld-
est son and heir of the Earl of Clan
William. The details of the accident
are meager. and are received in a strag-
Cling manner, owing to the remoteness
-, al