Burning of the OMAR PACHA, Australian Immigrant Ship, Homeward Bound

Maker Illustrated London News (Established 1842)

Date29 May 1869

Object number00009091

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 160 x 235 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionEngraving from the Illustrated London News titled 'Burning of the OMAR PACHA, Australian immigrant ship, homeward bound'.HistoryOMAR PASHA left Moreton Bay, Queensland on 1 February 1869 with a full complement of 84 passengers, wool and other produce. On the 22 April, a fire broke out in the hold and spread rapidly and in seven hours, the ship had sunk. All the passengers and crew escaped and were picked up by an Italian barque bound for New York. On their arrival in Ireland it was noted that very little personal possessions were saved and that the survivors were "entirely destitute of wearing apparel or money."