Brassey's Annual; The Armed Forces Year-Book (1894 ) (English, Japanese, Paperback)

. 1894 edition.: ...of it been hauled down independently, the division addressed by that portion of it would have acted independently and at once, while the course of the other division would have remained unaltered so long as the remainder of the signal was kept flying. Moreover, the fact that one portion was hoisted superior to the other, though it was held by the Court to have no special significance, might have induced the belief that the superior portion of the signal would be hauled down before the inferior. As soon as the signal was hoisted it was repeated by the Camperdown, but Admiral Markham directed his flag-lieutenant to keep it "at the dip" as an indication that it was not understood, and proceeded to address an inquiry as to its meaning to the Commander-in-Chief. Before this message could be transmitted the Camperdown's pendants were made by the flag-ship, and a question was addressed to the Kear-Admiral by his Chief: "What are you waiting for?" "It then struck me," said Admiral Markham, in his despatch announcing the disaster, "that he wished me to turn sixteen points as indicated by his signal, and that it was his intention to circle round the second division, leaving them on his port hand. Having the fullest confidence in the great ability of the Commander-in-Chief to manceuvnthe squadron without even the risk of a collision, 1 ordered the signal to be hoisted, as an indication that it was understood." At the same time the Rear-Admiral directed a reply to be made to the Commanderin-Chief's question: "Did not quiteunderstand your signal." Thr reply was never received on...