HMS Captain 1870         

 

The Story of HMS Captain (cont)

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The Times reporting of the disaster (cont)

Admiral A.W. Milne, whilst still on HMS Lord Warden on the 7th September, despatched the following additional report to the Admiralty, detailing the fleet's individual reports on the Captain's disaster.

Minotaur - lost sight of Captain at about 1.45 a.m.

Northumberland - last saw Captain between nine and ten p.m. before heavy rain set in.

Agincourt - saw captain last about eleven p.m.

Inconstant - about 10.15 p.m.

Warrior - about 10.30 p.m.

Bristol - about ten p.m.

Psyche - picked up one dead body and passed two cutters, bottom up, and several other spars.

Monarch - picked up maintopgallantyard and topgallant studdingsails boom

Bellerophon - picked up bow roller of boom boat, found white boat, a launch and six-oared boat.

Agincourt - picked up parts of cutter, two signal lockers, with flags, upper deck hatchway, broken gaff and trysai, mast, deck planks, oars, and mahogany deck fittings.

Minotaur - picked up two launches, oars, pinnace's sail in cover, and ensign.

Inconstant - picked up two oars, and mahogany board of hammock netting.

Warrior - picked up skylight, port and small gear of turret, and cabin windows, sashes, and pieces of inside lining.

Bristol - picked up two oars, second cutter's breakers, and two pieces of hammock netting.

Hercules - picked up two swinging booms, jib-boom, three studding sail booms, all marked `Captain'; royal yards, standard compass, splinted oars, and part of boat's upper deck grating, and half of bowsprit, with sword belt and handkerchief entangled.

Lord Warden - picked up mizentopgallantyard, with sails bent, and office desk, and portion of small grating.

(signed) "ALEXANDER MILNE, Admiral

 

 

(Copy of cutting from North Otago Times, New Zealand, 28th October 1870. Thanks to Jenny Mayne)

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