The Loss of HMS Birkenhead, 26 February 1862
Vincent Brooks, Day and Son Ltd
Category
Art / Prints
Date
Unknown
Materials
Paper, giltwood
Measurements
229 x 375 mm
Order this imageCollection
The Argory, County Armagh
NT 565101
Summary
Print, engraving, The Loss of HMS Birkenhead, 26 February 1862 by .Vincent Brooks, Day and Sons Ltd. The Birkenhead was an iron paddle steamer of 1400 tons, and was launched in December 1845. On 26 February 1852, while transporting troops to Algoa Bay, she was wrecked at Danger Point near Gansbaai on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. There were not enough serviceable lifeboats for all the passengers, and the soldiers famously stood firm, thereby allowing the women and children to board the boats safely. Only 193 of the 643 people on board survived.
Makers and roles
Vincent Brooks, Day and Son Ltd, engraver (printmaker)