The secret of the loss of the f Victoria' has
been revealed. Admiral Tryon, who had only left the sick-list on the morning of the disaster, committed a blunder which cost the country his ship and his life. He ordered a manceuvre at six cables' distance, which could not have been safely executed—at least, at the low speed at which the vessels were moving—at a less distance than eight cables. Admiral Markham on the Camperdown,' who saw the danger, professed not to under- stand the signal, but it was repeated and obeyed, and the ships struck. The repetition of the signal is extraordinary, for Captain Bourke, of the 'Victoria,' had perceived the danger, and had represented the expediency of eight cables' distance, to which the Admiral assented. Nevertheless, the signal ordered was for six cables, and when the difference was pointed out, Admiral Tryon directed the signal to remain. He, in fact, blundered about distances, and so caused the destruc- tion of the great ironclad and many of its crew. The evidence for this account is official, and is corroborated by all inde- pendent testimony, the only doubt being as to the Admiral's motive in neglecting the warning which he had not only received but accepted. Was he ill, was he obstinate, or did he simply blunder? We have elsewhere discussed with favour the last explanation ; and to our minds the worst feature of the affair is not that, but the obvious instability of these huge tea-kettles to which we trust our defence. What is the use of a floating fortress which disappears at the first tap of a ram ?
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