NAVAL DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 399, 7 April 1908, Page 3

NAVAL DISASTER.

Destroyer Crushed. Thirty-Six Lives Lost. London, April 4. A terrible disaster is reported from the Channel, where the Home fleet is manoeuvring. The squadron comprised the following ships.—The first-class cruisers Berwick and Argonaut, the firstclass battleship Prince George {flagship of Rear-Admiral Login), the fifth-class cruiser Essex, the second-class cruiser Forter, and the torpedo flotilla. When on St. Catherine’s Point, south of the -Isle of Wight, all lights were put out, aud the manoeuvres were in progress. Suddenly the destroyer Tiger collided bow to bow with the cruiser Berwick. The force of the impact ripped the destroyer in. halves from keel to gunwale, aud she sank immediately.

Thirty-six of the Tiger’s crew perished and 22 were saved. Those below deck had no chance of escape whatever, and several were killed by the shock. Lieut. Middleton was amongst those drowned.

The night was dark and- the sea choppy, and a drizzling rain was falling. The Berwick was steaming fast and the Tiger 25 knots. Experts suggest that the Tiger’s helm jatnbed, thus causing the collision. The Tiger’s fore end tilted up almost perpendicularly and carried Lieut. Middleton and most of the deck hands straight away with the bottom part, but the aft half remained afloat for three minutes, enabling several to grasp spars and bits of wreckage. Fifteen of the rescued belonged to the engine-room department. The Recruit and the Tiger were hauling together and the Tiger launched a torpedo against the St. George, then steamed abeam of the Berwick.

To launch another, she mysteriously swerved across the Berwick’s bows. The engineer (Vinning) jumped aside to escape the Berwick’s prow, and shouted down the tube, “Shut off steam and all hands escape.” Water was already pouring upon the engine plates and the Tiger was cut through like an eggshell. Splendid discipline was shown. Viuning escaped.