THE NAVAL COLLISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13724, 14 April 1908, Page 5

THE NAVAL COLLISION.

RESULT OF COURT-MARTIAL. UNACCOUNTABLE DISASTER. By Telegraph Pre** A association.—Copyright. London", April 12. i A COURT-MARTIAL respecting the recent collision between the cruiser • Berwick and torpedo-boat destroyer j Tiger during naval manoeuvres, and | resulting in the sinking of the deI stroyer, with the loss of 36 lives, J has exonerated the officers and crew of the Tiger, both dead and j living. j Furthermore, it is stated that no blame attaches to the officers or crew of the Berwick, and the Court is unable to account for the collision. The collision, which occurred on April 2 during the naval manoeuvres, took place off St. Catherine's Point-, at the extreme south of the Isle of Wight. The Tiger, one of the. torpedo-boat destroyers of the Home fleet, had steamed abeam oi the Berwick to launch a torpedo, when she swerved across the Berwick's bows, thus leading to the collision. The Berwick, which cut the Tiger in halves, was steaming fast, and the Tiger was doing 25 knots. The night was dark with a, drizzling rain. Lieut. Middleton, who was in command of the Tiger, wa. amongst those who perished. The disaster was then referred to a.s inexplicable.