The smallest circle in which either the _Victoria_ or the _Camperdown_ could turn was six hundred yards--about three cables length--and therefore if Tryon's orders were obeyed a collision would be inevitable between the two ships. Both Lord Gillford and the Admiral's Staff-Commander must have realized this: every seaman on board the Fleet, when eventually the signal fluttered in the wind, knew what would happen. The position must have been a terrible one for those on the bridge of the _Camperdown_, as well as the _Victoria_; for, not theirs to question but to obey. But Staff-Commander Hawkins-Smith dared remind Tryon that they could not possibly turn in less than eight cables length. Admiral Tryon agreed, but what was the Staff-Commander's surprise a minute or two later to see the original signal "six cables length" go up. He spoke to Lord Gillford and advised him to again call Admiral Tryon's attention to the impossibility of the manoeuvre being successfully carried out. This Gillford did: "You said it was to be more than six cables' length, Sir." "Did I? Well, leave it at six cables," Tryon replied, and turning round he entered into conversation with Captain Bourke. One cannot help wondering what would have happened if Jellicoe had been present, instead of confined below with fever. Presumably, he could have done no more than Gillford and Hawkins-Smith; the _Victoria_ would have been lost just the same. When the signal was read on the _Camperdown_ Admiral Markham was puzzled and therefore he refrained from replying, thereby indicating that he did not understand his instructions. The fleet steamed ahead in two columns line. Tryon grew impatient and signalled to the _Camperdown_--"What are you waiting for?" Markham had now no option but to obey. Perhaps he hoped that Admiral Tryon had some scheme for manoeuvring his own ship. The signal was obeyed. The leading ships of the two columns turned sixteen points inwards. The men of the Fleet watched; amazed and horrified. A minute passed. There was still time to change the signal. Two minutes passed, three. To those waiting and watching the minutes must have seemed an eternity. Before the fourth minute had expired the _Camperdown_ rammed the _Victoria_ on her starboard bow. When the great ships parted there was a big gash visible in the _Victoria_ through which the sea poured. At once the boat began to list. But there was no panic. Jellicoe's servant hurried below and warned the Commander that the _Victoria_ was sinking. Jellicoe got up and went on deck. The order had already been given to pipe all hands. There was no rush or hurry. In the engine rooms the stokers remained at their posts, the artificer and engineers. It was the same in the boiler rooms.