More about the loss of the Victoria.

Manawatu Herald, 4 July 1893, Page 2

More about the loss of the Victoria.

Further details received as to the loss of H.M.S. Victoria show that the Victoria and Camperdown were locked together for eight minutes. The sick members of the crew were saved through the devotion of the chaplain, the Rev. S. 0. Morris, who lost his life. Two minutes after the ships separated the Victoria began to sink. The men received orders to leave the vessel one minute before she capsized. Midshipman Lanyon perished owing to his refusal to leave the Admiral. The men and officers displayed great heroism. The Times correspondent wires that when the two lines of warships were 1200 yards apart Admiral Tryon signalled to the fleet to reverse | the previous positions and course, I which Bear-Admiral Markham, on the Camperdown, obeyed. It is reported that Commander Hawkins Smith remarked to Anmiral Tryon that there was no room to turn, and that the Admiral replied ' Let her go.' The Camperdown cut in more than 6ft, leaving her figure-head on the Victoria's mess deck. All the ships, seeing the danger, began sending boats, but Admiral Tryon stopped them, thinking the Victoria would float. The Camperdown, however, continued to send her boats. The watertight compartments of the Victoria were not closed. Captain Bourke, seeing it was impossible to save the ship, ordered ' Suave gui peut.' The ship sank head foremost in 18min. Her propellers destroyed many who were scrambling to get on to the bottom of the ship. The Camperdown nearly sank, and reached Tripoli sft down by her bows. Other ships ran a great risk of collision. The sight is described as most appalling. Another account states that the cause of the disaster is beyond controversy. When the ships were six cables apart the Victoria signalled the squadron to turn inward sixteen points. The Camperdown attempted to obey, but found it impossible, and if the signal had been fully obeyed every pair of ships must have collided. The other ships noticed this in time to prevent disaster to the whole fleet. Another account states that the columns ought to have been eight cables apart. Admiral Tryon ordered this distance before turning, but afterwards countermanded it. The Lord Mayor's fund has reached £80,000.