BIRKENHEAD WRECK
ATTEMPT AT SALVAGE. (Times Cables.) LONDON, Aug. 20. The Capetown correspondent of the Times says that Signor Rossi, the Italian salvage expert, will shortly attempt to locate the 83-year-old wreck of the Birkenhead.
Carrying British troops to fight in the Kaffir War in South Africa, the paddle-steamer Birkenhead struck a rock at 2 a.m. on February 25. 1852, seven hours after leaving Simon’s Bay. Twenty minutes later she had foundered. It was immediately evident that there was no hope of all aboard being saved and the troops stood lined lip oil the deck while steps were taken to save the women and children. With the men still standing firmly in their ranks, the ship sank under them. The few women and children were saved, and, altogether, 184 persons reached the shore, which was not a great distance away, but 454 officers and men were drowned.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 224, 21 August 1935, Page 7
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147BIRKENHEAD WRECK Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 224, 21 August 1935, Page 7
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