H.M.S. VIPER WRECKED.

HUNS ON THE ALDERNEY ROCKS IN A FOG.

The treacherous rocks around the Channel Islands have robbed the British Navy of its fastest warship. The 35-knot destroyed Viper, the only vessel in the British Navy fitted with turbines instead of the ordinary reciprocating engines, was wrecked there on Saturday, August 3. The Times' Portsmouth correspondent telegraphed on Sunday : — "The Albatross and Contest, destroyers, who were with Admiral Wilson's squadron, arrived at Portsmouth with the crew of the Viper, which was with Admiral Noel's squadron and was wrecked near Aiderney on Saturday. Only Lieutenant Speke, the commanding officer, Mr Hill, the engineer, and the gunner were left behind to assist in saving what can be secured from the wreck. The Viper was on Saturday afternoon employed in scouting duty, and was going at a rate of 22 knots when a fog fell and lasted from 4 to 6.30 o'clock. The speed of the vessel was then reduced to 16 or 17 knots, and about 5.30, when the fog assumed its greatest density, the Viper jumped a ledgo of rock on Burhow Island. In doing so, the bottom of the fore-part of the vessel was torn out, and the bows went under water, while the rock held the vessel amidships and sent the stern high out of water. The order to abandon the ship was at once given, and the boats were lowered. During this operation a hole was torn in the bows of one of the boats, but so methodically was the order to abandon the ship carried out that the boat was detained on deck until the hole had been patched. Each boat carried a tin of biscuits and two jars of water, and the two kittens, the pets of the crew, were also saved, but no effort was made by the men to save their effects, and bluejackets and sailors alike' put off in the boats in their working rig. As they left the Viper the tide took them in the direction of Aiderney, but until they could speak a French smack it was uncertain in which direction they were pulling. When the Viper struck, she continued to fire minute-guns until she was abandoned, and from Aiderney Harbor several destroyers and torpedo-boats were despatched, but when the ship was abandoned the sound which guided them ceased, and they had to circle in order to pick up what might come their way. Happily, half an hour after the crew.had left the Viper" the fog lifted, and the crew and the rescuers were within sight of each other. The crew spent the night on the Thames, cruiser, and were yesterday sent on. to Portsmouth in two destroyers, which -had been put out of action. Before they left they learned from a pilot that the vessel was steadily breaking in halves. 1 ' The Viper was the only ship in the British Navy fitted with Parsons' turbines. These- enabled her to reach the great speed of 34 knots.