“The court having heard the evidence which had been adduced in this inquiry and trial, is of opinion that the loss of Her Majesty’s ship _Vanguard_ was occasioned by Her Majesty’s ship _Iron Duke_ coming into collision with her off the Kisbank, the Irish Channel, at about 12-50 on the 1st September, from the effects of which she foundered; that such collision was caused--First, by the high rate of speed at which the squadron, of which these vessels formed a part, was proceeding whilst in a fog; secondly, by Captain Dawkins, when leader of his division, leaving the deck of the ship before the evolution which was being performed was completed, as there were indications of foggy weather at the time; thirdly, by the unnecessary reduction of speed of H.M.S. _Vanguard_ without a signal from the vice-admiral in command of the squadron, and without H.M.S. _Vanguard_ making the proper signals to the _Iron Duke_; fourthly, by the increase of speed of H.M.S. _Iron Duke_ during a dense fog, the speed being already high; fifthly, by H.M.S. _Iron Duke_ improperly shearing out of the line; sixthly, for want of any fog signals on the part of H.M.S. _Iron Duke_. “The court is further of opinion that the cause of the loss of H.M.S. _Vanguard_ by foundering was a breach being made in her side by the prow of H.M.S. _Iron Duke_ in the neighbourhood of the most important transverse bulkhead--namely, that between the engine and boiler rooms, causing a great rush of water into the engine-room, shaft-alley, and stoke-hole, extinguishing the fires in a few minutes, the water eventually finding its way into the provision room flat, and provision rooms through imperfectly fastened watertight doors, and owing to leakage of 99 bulkhead. The court is of opinion that the foundering of H.M.S. _Vanguard_ might have been delayed, if not averted, by Captain Dawkins giving instructions for immediate action being taken to get all available pumps worked, instead of employing his crew in hoisting out boats, and if Captain Dawkins, Commander Tandy, Navigating-Lieutenant Thomas, and Mr. David Tiddy, carpenter, had shown more resource and energy in endeavouring to stop the breach from the outside by means at their command, such as hammocks and sails--and the court is of opinion that Captain Dawkins should have ordered Captain Hickley, of H.M.S. _Iron Duke_, to tow H.M.S. _Vanguard_ into shallow water. The court is of opinion that blame is imputable to Captain Dawkins for exhibiting want of judgment and for neglect of duty in handling his ship, and that he showed a want of resource, promptitude, and decision in the means be adopted for saving H.M.S. _Vanguard_ after the collision. The court is further of opinion that blame is imputable to Navigating-Lieutenant Thomas for