Loss of a Man-of-war.

Manawatu Herald, 27 June 1893, Page 2

Loss of a Man-of-war.

Whilst the vessels of the Mediterranean Squadron were manoeuvring off Tripoli,." on Thursday afternoon, the ironclad. Camperdown, a ship of 10,600 tons, rammed the Victoria 10,470 tons, the flagship of the Mediterranean squadron, having

Admiral Tyron on board, just forward of her starboard turret. The latter lurched when struck, trembled for a time, then sank bow first with appalling rapidity in 80 fathoms of water. The accident took place in broad daylight, and there was not time td close the watertight bulkheads.

The Camperdown herself Was seriously injured. There were 684 men on board of whom but 256 were saved. The survivors were sent to Malta. The captain and commander were saved. Admiral Tryon refused to leave his ship and went down with her.

Intense public grief is expressed at the loss of the Victoria.

Lady Tryon held a reception on Thursday night. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh called and condoled with her. Lord Carrington conveyed the Queen's deep regrets. Owing to this lamentable catastrophe Her Majesty postponed a State Ball. The Prime Minister referred to the calamity in the House of Commons. He was deeply moved and his words were listened to in death-like stillness as he described the disaster. He said he felt certain the deepest sympathy would be excited for the unhappy fate of this band of brave men who had gone to an early grave amid circumstances of peace, from which the pomp and splendour of war were absent, and he paid a high tribute to the capacity and services of Admiral Tryon.

The Queen in her letter states that her heart bleeds for the many homes plunged into mourning by affliction and dreadful misfortune.

The Emperor of Germany wired that words cannot express his grief at the loss of so noble an admiral and so fine a ship. He has ordered all the German warships to fly the British and the German flags at half mast. The Italian Government wired its sympathy with Great Britain. The disaster created immense sensation in America, and the Union Jack was lowered at halfmast at the Chicago Exhibition.

At the request oi the Duke of Cambridge the Lord Mayor has opened a relief fund.

Earl Dudley has endowed a hospital bed with £1000 in gratitude for his brother's escape.

It is stated that the Victoria's steering gear was weak, and experts believe that the Camperdown ripped the whole starboard side out of the Victoria, and thus prevented (? neutralised) the closing ot her bulkheads, causing her to capsize. Another theory is that the accident was due to the proximity of the vessels in pursuance of Admiral Tryon 's system of signalling.