In this decision the Court considers he was justified.
The hurricane, however, was moving at the unprecedented rate, for October, of nearly 720 miles per day and "Valerian" was unable to gain the shelter of Bermuda before she was overtaken by it.
6. At 08.00 she actually reached the position of Gibbs Hill bearing 312 degrees, distance 5 miles, and half an hour later on the weather becoming thick hove to heading S.E. and steaming about 9 knots into the gale.
7. The wind was South Easterly until about noon with a maximum force of 95 miles per hour.
8. The ship rode out this South Easterly gale easily sustaining no damage, but her drift during this period cannot be ascertained.
9. At noon there was a lull, and the visibility increased from one to two miles but no land was seen.
10. At 12.15, the wind shifted to the North Westward and blew with a force which was registered up to 128 miles an hour. A heavy South Easterly sea was still running and the ship was kept head to sea steaming 9 knots with the wind rather on the starboard.
11. At about 13.00 the ship broached to and was thrown on her beam ends, righted once, heeled over to starboard again and slowly capsized.
12. There is some likelihood of the ship having grounded through having been driven astern during the first half of the gale- again, it is possible that she was overwhelmed by the force of the wind and sea.
13. The Court is satisfied that the ship was in a seaworthy condition and that the loss was due to water finding its way below or to the shifting of weights. The pumps were efficient.
14. The Court considers that the orders to abandon ship were given at the last possible moment and were necessary.
15. Finally, the Court is of opinion that there was no error in navigation. Nothing the Commanding Officer could do would have diverted the loss of the ship, and that no blame is attributable to the survivors whose conduct throughout was exemplary.
16. The Court is of opinion that none of the survivors are to blame and formally acquits them.
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The Royal Gazette, Monday, 8th November, 1926.
The Story Of The Valerian Survivors