New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-26
FIX BLAME FOR
SEA DISASTER
Continued from PAT"

ing us with so many new and strange
situations that an error Of judgment Of
this character is pardonable. But it
has been necessary to point out, for
the further guidance Of his majesty's
ships, that conditions which prevail
when a vessel of squadron is injured
in a mine field, or is exposed to sub
marine attacks, are analogous to those
which occur in action, and that the
rule of leaving disabled ships to their
own resources is applicable, so far, at
any rate, as large vessels are con-
cerned.
"No act of humanity, whether to
friend or foe, should lead to neglect Of
the proper precautions and dispositions
of war, and no measures can be taken
to save life which prejudice the mill
tary situation. Small craft of all kinds
should, however, be directed by wire
less to close on the damaged ship at
all speed.
Peculiarly Distressing.
"The loss of nearly 60 officers and
l,4OO men would not have been grudged
if it had been brought about by gun
fire in an open action. But it is pc
CuliaIly distressing under the condi-
tons which prevailed The absence Of
any Of the ardors and excitement Of an
engagement did not, however, prevent
the display Of discipline, cheerful cour-
age and ready self-sacrifce among all
ranks and ratings exposed to the
ordeal.
"The duty on which these vessels
were engaged was an essential part of
the arrangements by which the control
of the seas AM the safety of the coun-
try are maintained, and the lives lost
are as usefully, as necessarily and az
gloriously devoted to the requirements
OF his majesty's service as If the loss
had been incurred in a general action.
"ln view of the certainty of pro-
portion of misfortunes of this charac-
teT occurring from time to time, it is
Important that this point of view
should be thoroughly appreciated. The
loss of these three cruisers, apart from
the loss of life, is of small naval sig
niiicance. Although they were large
and powerful ships, they belonged to a
class of cruisers whose speed has been
surpassed by many of the enemy's bat
tleships.
Before the war it had been decided
that no more money should be spent
in repairing any of this class and that
they should make their way TO the sale
list as soon as defects became mani
fest"
The Admiralty's statement then gives
the report on the sinking OF the Cressy,
signed By Bertram L. Nicholson, com
mander Of the late II. NJ. S. Cressy, as
follows:
"Sir: | have the honor to submit the
fU4owing report in connection with the
sinking of II. NJ. s. Cressy in company
With H. NJ. S. Aboukir and Hogue on
the morning Of September % while on
patrol duty:
First Roat Struck at 6:2j 4. VI.
"The Aboukir was struck at about
6:25 a. m. on the starboard beam. The
Hogue and Cressy closed and took up
a position, the Hogue ahead of the
Aboukir and the Greasy about 400 yards
on her port beam.
GAS soon as it was seen that the
Aboukir was in danger Of sinking all
the boats were sent away from the
Cressy and a picket boat was hoisted
out without steam up. When cutters
full of the Aboukir's men were return
ing to the Cressy the Hosue was
struck, apparently under the aft 90
magazine, as very heavy explosion
took place Immediately. Almost di-
rectly after the Hogue was hit we OBJ
served a periscope on our port bow
ABOUT SUI YARDS on; -,
'Flre was lmmediateIy opened anu
the engines were put I9!l speed aheau
with the intention Oh funAlhG heF
Gown: Our gunner MT DOuEherty'
scope and that the submarine SANK
the gunner. thinks that the shell struck
onIv floating timber. of which there