THE NAVAL DISASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2522, 29 June 1893, Page 1

THE NAVAL DISASTER.

London, June 25. The injuries received by the Camperdown in the collision are less than was expected, though of a serious nature. She will probably be docked at Malta for a few days. The Sultan of Turkey has telegraphed a message of sympathy to the Queen. The French and Italian Cabinets have sent similar messages to the Admiralty. The Spanish Senate have passed a resolution of regret. June 26. Sir Saul Samuel has convoyed to the Queen an expression of sympathy from New South Wales for the loss of the Victoria and the death of Admiral Tryon.

The Spanish Navy have opened a fund for the assistance of the relatives of those drowned. Telegrams of sympathy have been received from all parts of the world. It is now stated that 20 officers and 348 men were drowned. References were made to the catastrophe yesterday in all the churches. The Princess of Wales has sent a message of condolence to Lady Tryon. The Prince of Wales and family have subscribed £l5O to the relief fund opened by the Lord Mayor, and the Queen has given £2OO. Lord Mount Stephen gives £IOO, Donations are flowing in freely. Similar funds are being organised in all the ports in the Kingdom. It is reported at Malta that when the collision occurred Admiral Tryon was exercising the ships in “ gridiron ” manoeuvres without signals. Six officers and fifty men had been despatched to the other vessels of the fleet before the accident occurred.

The special correspondent of the Times at Tripoli says that the ships were changing line at the time. The Victoria was struck on the starboard bow, and sank in eleven minutes. The screw killed many of those who jumped overboard. Special memorial services have been ordered for to-morrow. A court-martial will be held at Malta. The only evidence will be that of the people on board the Victoria and Camperdown. The other ships were half-a-mile away at the time. Mr Wilson, M.P., has given notiee to ask whether the Admiralty will now cease building large vessels. The Lord Mayor’s fund has reached £I7OO.

The Emperor of Austria and King of Italy seat personal expressions of sympathy. June 27.

The service at Tripoli in connection with the burial of the men whose bodies were recovered, was of a most solemn character, and the vessels of the fleet each fired 17 guns. Many incidents are recorded of grand and touching heroism on the part of officers in attempting to save men, and on the other hand many of the officers saved owe their lives to the heroic efforts of those under them. The rescuing boats were compelled to be exceedingly careful on account of the under-tow, otherwise many others would have been saved. The survivors leave Malta for England to-day. Vice-Admiral Erskine will probably succeed Admiral Tyron in the command of the Mediterranean Squadron. Telegrams from Malta state that Admiral Tryon was rescued after the sinking of the Victoria, and was conveyed on board H.M.S. Edinburgh, where he died. His body has been sent to England. The Emperor of Germany has sent a message of condolence to Lady Tryon, in which he says “My Navy deplores the loss of a brilliant life.”

Lord Mount Stephen has increased his subscription to the relief fund to £SOO. Lady Tryon has expressed her gratefulness for the marks of sympathy received from Sydney, where the late Admiral was so long stationed. The Benbow replaces the Victoria as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron. The Squadron was ranged in two parallel lines, six cable lengths apart. Admiral Tryon’s order was for the formation of a single line, and it was in executing this mameuvre that the collision took place. The Camperdown rammed the Victoria’s bows, crashing right into the centre of the ship. The Malta correspondent of the Daily News wires that there is no foundation for the report that Admiral Tryon’s body was found. Sydney, June 26.

Sir B. W. Duff, speaking at a public dinner on Saturday, expressed his sorrow at the disaster which had befallen t|io British Navy in the loss of the Victoria. H e said that Admiral Tryon and himself had been shipmates for four years. June 28.

The Governments of South Australia and New South Wales on behalf of their respective colonies cabled messages of condolence to Lady Tryon. Melbourne, June 26.

The Governor has sent a cable message to tl>e Admiralty, e3vpresfiii|g thp sympathy of the people of tpe polopy in the palaipity which has bpfajlpn the British Navy. Brtsb4Ne, June 27. Both Houses have passed addresses of sympathy to the Queen, respecting the disaster to the Victoria. Wellington, June 26. The Premier has sent a message of condolence Home re the Victoria, Thq Times, speaking of Admiral Tryon, says that during the war scare of 1885 he had made all arrangements with great completeness and he knew the whereabouts of *ho movements of every ship in the Russian squadron. He was in cable commumc tien with the Now Zealand Government every day,but what is >iot generally known is that ho had determined if he came to a conclusion that our ports were not properly protected, to make Wangaroa the headquarters of a squadron, and guard it with a line of submarine mines.