The "Victoria" Court-Martial.

Manawatu Herald, 22 July 1893, Page 2

The "Victoria" CourtMartial.

At tne court-martial Admiral Tryon's Flag-Lieutenant, Lord Guilford, stated that after the collision occurred the Admiral exclaimed 'It is all my fault.' Staff-Com-mander T. H. Smith, of H.M.S. Victoria, deposed that Admiral Tryoa admitted that it collision was entirely his own fault. Captain Bourke admitted that he ought to have reversed the Victoria's screw without orders, and said he would have done so if Admiral Tryon had not been present. Staft' Commander T. Hawkins Smith thought that the evolution required a distance of about 10 cables. Vice Admiral Markham told his flag-lieiitenant that the movement ordered by Admiral Tyron was impossible. Staff-Commander Smith said Admiral Tryon's last words, just before the ship turned over, were addressed to the midshipman on the bridge, to whom he said--' Don't stop, youngster ; go to the boat !' Captain Bourke stated that Admiral Tryon never consulted his staff with regard to the evolutions. Admiral Markham gave evidence that he forgot Admiral Tryon's memorandum allowing commanders to use thdr own discretion when a dangerous evolution was being performed. Lord Guildford, the flag-lieutenant was the only per3on who heard Admiral Tryon blame himself for the disaster. Bear- Admiral Markham said ha thought Admiral Tryon meant to circle round outside H.M.S. Camperdown, which would have been a safe evolution. Vice. Admiral Sir M. Culme-Sey-mour stated that, according to the signal book, Admiral Tryon's signal to the fleet allowed of only one interpretation. Bear-Admiral Markham replied that his alternative interpretation allowed of a safe evolution. BearAdmiral Harkham, being closely pressed with respect to his reasons for the conclnsion that when he saw that his interpretation was incorrect a collision was inevitable, admitted that he had never seen such a manoeuvre as he expected. Admiral Tryon had frequently attempted evolutions which he (Bear-Admiral Markham) only understood when Admiral Tryon explained them. The Captain of the Camperdown deposed that he was confident that turning in six cables would compel a collision, until Bear '\dmiral Markham suggested that Admiral Tryon intended to circle outside the second division. Personally, he was not convinced that the Victoria intended to do so.