.....Continued.
Lieut. Hughes confirmed that part of Cdr. Usher's relative to the last position taken off Gibbs Hill. Visibility was fairly good early on Oct. 22nd, but decreased later to 100 yards. He described the difficulty of keeping the vessel on her course, and admitted receiving a report from the engine room that the ship was aground. Before that he had no reason to believe that the ship was aground or had sustained any underwater damage. At the time he received the information it really made no difference, because the ship was in a sinking condition.
Various survivors of the crew were then examined, but it was difficult to confirm the report of the ship going aground or stopping. Several, however, said that the amount of water which went below did not amount to much, and did not inconvenience the stoke-hold crew.
Petty Officer Tandy said that about 5 minutes before the Valerian sank he asked the Navigator what had happened, and the latter said that they were aground, and that he did not know where the land was. Asked if it was a case of every man for himself, the Navigator said yes, and witness accordingly passed the order out.
Lieut. Hughes was recalled with regard to this conversation, and said that Tandy came on the bridge after the Captain had given the order regarding every man for himself. He could not remember saying anything about the ship being ashore, but he had no reason to think the ship was ashore except for the engine room report.
Asked what made the ship list so much, he replied that the weather was ever so much stronger than in the second than in the first part of the hurricane. Really, there was no comparison between the first and second parts of the storm.
He was not in a position to tell where the ship foundered, and later on Cdr. Usher, recalled, said he only sent the signal that they were 5 miles south of Gibbs Hill to indicate that they could not get in in the time ordered.
Tandy, recalled, said he did not believe the ship was ashore.
Navigators from the other cruisers on the station gave expert testimony, Commdr. Benn, H.M.S. Calcutta, and Lt.-Cdr. Leigh, H.M.S. Curlew, and they said they found the hurricane was moving on Oct. 22nd at 440 miles in 12 hours.
Lieut. Nicholls, H.M.S. Wistaria, said the maximum stability of his ship was 29 degrees, and 52 degrees the vanishing angle when she had 40 tons of coal on board and the forecastle doors closed. With 130 tons it was 30 and 57 degrees. The Wistaria was, however, slightly differently fitted to the Valerian.
THE FINDING
The Court closed for its finding at 1.16, and reopening at 7.40 the Deputy Advocate read the following questions submitted by the Prosecutor, and the Court's answers, followed by the Court's finding:-
Questions
1. (a). When the ship sailed from Nassau for Bermuda was there a sufficient supply on board to make the passage with safety? (b) Were all reasonable steps taken to augment the supply?
2. When it became evident on Thursday 21st October from weather reports that a tropical storm would be in the neighbourhood of Bermuda on the morning of Friday, 22nd October, should an alteration of course have been made to the South East or North West with a view to avoiding it?
3. (a). Was it advisable to keep the ship heading South Eastward during the lull at the centre of the storm; and (b) with the wind coming from the North Westward; and (c) was the action of eventually trying to bring the ship to the wind necessary?
4. Were all seamanlike precautions taken for the safety of the ship?
5. Did the ship touch the ground? If so what action on the part of the Commanding Officer would have prevented this?
6. If the ship did not touch the ground what was the cause of the sinking?
7. (a). Were all practicable steps taken for preserving life and (b) what was the behaviour of Officers and Men?
8. What is considered the most probable position of the foundering of the ship?
Answers
1. (a). Yes, observing that from the evidence 46 tons were remaining when "Valerian" was 10 miles from her destination.
(b). The Commanding Officer of "Valerian" augmented her supply of coal with difficulty which made his supply sufficient for the passage.
2. The storm arrived with unprecedented speed and was of greater violence than that which Washington's weather report led "Valerian" to expect. It is considered that the Commanding Officer's action in attempting to arrive at Bermuda in advance of the storm was justified.
3. (a). Yes, owing to the heavy South Easterly sea.
(b). Even with the wind from the North West the ship would have had to be kept heading into the heavy South Easterly swell.
(c). No evidence was obtained to decide that the Commanding Officer's action was other than correct.
4. Yes, although certain communicating doors appear to have been left open, there is evidence to show that water, in sufficient quantities to endanger the ship, did not find its way below. The little that did was easily controlled.
5 and 6. Although there is no direct evidence of the ship having taken the ground, after the satisfactory manner in which she rode the previous four hours South Easterly gale with no danger, there is a likelihood of her having done so.
In forming this opinion we have taken the following points into consideration:
In favour of:-
a. (1) the report which reached the bridge that the ship was ashore.
(2) The evidence of Petty Officer Tandy that the Navigating Officer stated they were ashore.
(3) The position of the ship at the commencement of the hurricane.
(4) The ship being thrown on her beam ends and remaining there against the groundings:-
(5) She was lost at the dangerous part of the hurricane when the sea is against the wind.
(6) She was heading for the open sea during the first part of the gale.
(7) No land or breakers were seen.
(8) No shock or grounding was felt.
If the ship did ground, it is concluded that it was not due to any error in navigation, and situated thus no action on the part of the Commanding Officer could save her.
If she did ground, we agree with the Commanding Officer that the forces of nature overwhelmed the ship.
7 (a) Yes. (b) the evidence is clear that without panic, the utmost endeavour was made to carry out the orders of superiors up to the very last, in fact the discipline and behaviour of all on board was exceptional.
8. Owing to the loss of all records the Court is unable to answer this question.
A. B. CUNNINGHAM, (President)
A. T. TILLARD, (Captain)
W. S. BRIDGES, (Captain)
A. M. LECKY, (Captain)
H. MALTBY, (Commander)
Finding
The courtfinds that "Valerian"left Nassau at 13.30 on the 18th October in accordance with orders from the Commander-in Chief of the North America and West Indies Station to return to Bermuda.
Sufficient coal was on board to make the passage, although the requisite amount had only been obtained after considerable effort on the part of the Commanding Officer.
During her voyage, various reports were received by wireless telegraph giving course of a tropical disturbance having formed south of Cuba and which afterwards re-curved to the North East.
The Commanding Officer decided that by holding to his course and speed he would arrive at Bermuda considerably in advance of the storm.
Continued.......