Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-04
HEN WE'RE DROWNED Like RATS
They Were Alfred In Heavy Oil
skins When Collision Occurred and
They Had no Chance for Their Liyea
--shIpo We're Praeticlns Nigh, Ma
val Tactics With Masked Lights,
my Associated prcss)


PORTSMOUTH, ENG. April 8 -
Thirtysix men, including Lieutenant
Middleton. the commander OF the tor
rcdo boat destroyer Tiger. lost their
lives in the collision off tho Isle of
Wight last night between that vessel
and the British cruiser Berwick.
Tho vessels belong to the roris-
mouth division OF the British home
fleet ana were engaged In night man
co'vres in tho channel while on their
way to Portland. Tho night was very
dark and the berwick was stcammg
slowly. When the destroyer attempt
cd to CROSS the big cruisers bow Hha
was caught amldshlps and cut in half
] with knifclke precision. sinking al.
most Immediately.
The Iecl1 crew were dressed In
heavy oil skins and boots and went
down with the vessel. not having time
to free themselvoH from ihcsa heavy
encumbr,,nces.
OF the ~ i,sca ,v-.:o WIRE reBeusyi.
most of them were engineers and
Btokers who having light clothing
WIRE able TO keep themselves ailoat
until boats from the other ships which
We're Immediately launched, picked
Ethcm up. The collisIon occurred at
1890 o'clock last night.
Tho ships were maneouverinG with
ont lights it is said that several men
were KILLED by the impact
Tugs were dispatched to the sceho
of the disaster at daylight today.
Cut Craft Clean in Two.
The smaller naval vessels wcro In
the midst of an attack on their big
! ger consorts when the disaster oc
Cured. The entire flect wan under
masked lights and in absolute dark
ness. Tho Tiger was suddenly struck
square amidships by the Berwick. Tho
sharp stem OF this vessel. 10 use the
words of an eye witness, cut the dc
made of paper. The forward half
sank instantly and the SEA became
dotted with struggling men, most of
whom sank before help could reach
them. The warships III the immediate
vicinity quickly had their boats over
hoard and the scene of the tragedy
was brilliantly illuminated by n con
ceniratiOn of searchlights.
The after portion of the Tiger
| iloated for a minute or two. just ions
enough to enable those on board TO
siezc life belts. They threw them
selves into the water and wero able
to keep anoat until picked UP.
William X. AfF ;tdleton was OH The
bridge at the time of the disaster, and
went down with the foreward part.
The Tiger had complement OF 80
men and was OF 400 tons.
stoker's Vivid Account.
a stoker rescued from the Tiger
gave vivid account of the accident
THE Berwick flow up out of tbs,
blaclsness and seemed 10 fall OH us,
said the man.
THE noise of the impact was not
great. but in few seconds we were
ripped i'm halves. The forward halt
Of the Tiger reared UP like a fright
cncd morse and then Sank peneatn
The waves
The engineer lieutenant, who was
in tho engine room III the after part.
shouted: All hands on deck!' but ow
ing to the kissing of the steam and
the noise of the engines many OF the
stokers could not hear him. When No
did realize what had happened we
Made frantic efforts to get on deck
The water was pouring down into tho
hold in great torrents and 1t WAS all
We could do to make our way against
II, Everything happened with start
ling suidenncss. minute or two
after the collision we were drifting
past the Berwick i'll the full glare OF
searchlights. Tho next thing ] re-
member Is being dragged into one OF
tho rescusng boats in scmi-copscicuz
condItloD"