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The Loss of the East Indiaman 'Kent' in the Bay of Biscay, 1 March 1825

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Notes

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The 'Kent', an Indiaman of 1350 tons, was one of three ships taking soldiers of the Queen's and 31st Regiments to India in early 1825 when she caught fire in the Bay of Biscay. There were 640 people on board: 145 crew and the rest officers and men of the 31st, with 47 wives and 73 children. By great luck the 200-ton Liverpool brig 'Cambria' saw the fire and her master, Captain Cook, showed brilliant seamanship in taking a dangerous station close by to try and assist. There was astonishing discipline on board the 'Kent' as boats transferred people to the 'Cambria', but eventually the situation became too dangerous and Captain Cook had to stand off. At 2am the following morning the munitions in the 'Kent's' cargo blew up; 68 men and 20 children died,14 of the surviving soldiers were rescued from the floating wreckage. The survivors were landed at Falmouth where they received great kindness, and most went on to India by another ship.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

The Loss of the East Indiaman 'Kent' in the Bay of Biscay, 1 March 1825

Date

early 19th C

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 43 x W 53.5 cm

Accession number

BHC3819

Work type

Painting

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National Maritime Museum

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