The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-28
ACQUITTED OF ALL BLAME,
NO SURrITOR or THE VICTORIA DIS
dS1ER HELD TO ItCOtNT.

The Court Martha, Find. that the Accident
/ Was Entirely Due 10 the Order Given by
| Nicc-Admirni Tryon-RoGret Expressed
| that Markham Did Not Di-obry the Order.
NNErrt. Malta July 27.-.Tho Victoria court
| martial to-day rendered Its decision In the
case OF the Hon. Maurice \ Eourkc. Captain
Of the Victoria. aud the others. The verdict
was that tho accident was entirely due to the
order given by Vice Admiral Tryon. Not only
Capt, Bourkc. but ali tho other survivors were
acquitted OF all blame
Hhc Prosecution closed yesterday. and Capt.
Bonlke began at tho opening al the court this
morning to road his defence He reviewed the
evidence IN detail, paying most particular at
| tention to the testimony that had been given
regarding tho responsibility Tor the disaster.
lie said that the question was whether he,
with Vice. admiral fryun beside him in the
chart house OF the Victoria. ought to have
acted INDEPENDENTLY. Tho Court alone could
answer this question. lie could not say what
he should havo done II Nire. Admiral Tryon
had not been there. but his feeling was that he
should have taken moro strenuous action at
an carly period OF the manruvrc without the
sanction of tho Vice. Admiral, and should have
sent Mt and informed him OF what he had done.
Capt. Gourkc raid most eloquent tribute
to the behavior Of everybody on board the
Victoria, especially 10 the young officers who
had been cut of at ths opening OF their ca
recrs. He expressed the deep griof OF all t
survivors at the loss Of Vice. Admiral Tryou.
Capt Bourkn further said that while lie was
talking with Nice-Admirai 1rynn iust before
the collision, he told the Vice. Admiral that
eight cable lengths would he "A better distance
to be observed hy the two columns than six
cable lengths. Tho Vice. ADMIRAL did not con-
suit him. He mover consulted am one during
manTQvres Cant. liourke left tho cabin not
knowing what was going to happel. He was
nrprchensiyo Of thu result Of the order. but
his faith In Vice Almiral Tryon's master mind
reaSsured Him. Tho signal was specific and
IT. meaning could not nave horn m staken,
The Ni"e!Admnal himself ordered it to be
II urged tho Vice Admiral repeated y. whom
a collisoil apnoared Imminent. To do aome-
thing At this point Capt. Bourke Was over
come by gre and it WAS some little time be-
fore Ire proceeded.
Whom he continued the reading OF his de-
fenct he referred to the Victoria 5 rnidship-
men in warm words Of praise. III. touchingly
alluded to the Rev. samuel Morris, he chap
lain Of thu Victoria. who WAS or deck to the
ehd cXhortin g the crow to he steady. and who
perishcd Willie trying to save others. He con.
.clnder with II glowing euloGy Of Vice Admiral
Tryon. reierring 10 him as my host and kind.
est friend"
CAPT. Bourkcs sword was returned to him
COMMUNICATING of the Mediterranean
sluadr3n aud President of the court. amid
general genera congratulations, $780,. A..
Admiral Markham. who on the day Of the
disaster, wns on the Camperdown in command
OF the port column. did not carry out his
original intention and ignore the signal dis
PLAYED by the Victoria. in nttem pting to obey
which tho Camperdown rammed and sank the
The Court added. however. that 1t would be
fatal to the best interests Of the service to say
that he was to blame for carrying out tho
directions Of the Commander in Chief. who
was present in person.