A FEARFUL DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2158, 6 April 1908, Page 3

A FEARFUL DISASTER.

|1 | ' cru ' SE o ß elt o royeF WITH THIRTY-SIX LIVES LOST. United Press While the ' Berwick, Argonaut, Prince George, Essex, and I-orte, with a torpedo flotilla. were manoeuvring off St. Oathonnos loint, with lights out, the destroyer Tiger collided bow to bow with the cruiser Berwick, and was ripped in halves from keel to gunwale. . Thirty-six perished. Those below had no chance oi escape. Several were killed by the imI>! Lieur. Middleton, tho commander, perished. Twenty-two were saved. CUT THROUGH LIKE AN EGGSHELL. COMMANDER AND OTHERS SWEPT AAY AY IMMEDIATELY. CREAV SHOWS SPLENDID DISCIPLINE. ' United Press Association— Copyright (Ucooivea -' 1 j "oxbon; A, 1 ,';!! 1. The night was dark, the sea choppy, and a drizzling rain was falling. Tho Berwick was steaming last, and the Tiger at ‘Jo knots an hour. , Experts suggest that the ligers helm got jammed, thus causing tho collision., .... , Tho Tiger’s fore-end wns tilted up almost- perpendicularly, and carried Lieutenant Middleton and mpstot the deck hands straight away. THodestrover’s aft half remained afloat lor three minutes, enabling several men to grasp spars and bits of wreckage. Fifteen of tho rescued belonged to the engine-room department. Tlio Tiger had launched a torpedo against the Prince George and then steamed abeam to the Berwick to launch another when she mysteriously swerved across the Berwick’s bows. Engineer Vinning jumped aside to escape the Berwick’s prow, and shouted down the tube, ‘‘Shut off steam; all hands escape.” The water was already pouring upon the engine 1,1 The Tiger was cut through liko an cgg-sliell. . . . . There was splendid discipline, ami Engineer Vinning escaped.