Sinking of SS London in the Bay of Biscay (1866)

The British auxiliary steamer SS London sank in the Bay of Biscay on 11 January 1866 during a storm. The vessel, built in 1864, was overloaded with cargo, rendering it unseaworthy. Only 19 survivors escaped via lifeboat, resulting in a death toll of 220. The disaster was attributed to the captain's decision to re-enter the storm and structural failures caused by the heavy load.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. SS London was a British steamship built in Blackwall Yard and launched on the River Thames in July 1864. It undertook sea trials in September and began its first voyage to Melbourne in October 1864. The ship completed several voyages between London and Melbourne, carrying passengers and gold, before embarking on its final journey in late 1865.

Final Voyage. The final voyage began on 30 December 1865 from Gravesend, Kent, under Captain Martin. A seaman noted the ship was too low in the water, suggesting it was unseaworthy. The ship restarted its journey to Australia on 6 January 1866. During the crossing of the Bay of Biscay, heavy seas caused the cargo to shift and scuppers to choke, forcing the vessel lower in the water.

Aftermath. The sinking resulted in 220 deaths and 19 survivors. The Board of Trade inquiry attributed the disaster to Captain Martin's decision to return to Plymouth, re-entering the storm, and the ship being overloaded with 345 tons of railway iron. Coal stored above deck blocked scupper holes, preventing drainage. The event inspired a poem by William McGonagall.

People involved

Sources

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