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THE ASIA dismasted by a waterspout, on her passage from Port Phillip to Bombay
THE ASIA dismasted by a waterspout, on her passage from Port Phillip to Bombay

THE ASIA dismasted by a waterspout, on her passage from Port Phillip to Bombay

Maker (Established 1842)
Date1854
Object number00001143
NameEngraving
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 210 x 265 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Janet West
DescriptionAn engraving from page 372 of the Illustrated London News, 33 April 1854, titled 'The ASIA dismasted by a waterspout, on her passage from Port Phillip to Bombay'. Part of the related article appears on the verso 'Accordingly she did not leave Port Phillip until the 27th of November, for Bombay. While on her passage..., she was, unhappily, caught by a waterspout, upon the 22nd of January last, and almost totally dismasted... The ship was a wreck, her decks stove, launch and bulwarks smashed by the fall of the foremast, and the first cutter crushed by the maintopsail-yard'.HistoryArticle on verso 'Accordingly she did not leave Port Phillip until the 27th of November, for Bombay. While on her passage..., she was, unhappily, caught by a waterspout, upon the 22nd of January last, and almost totally dismasted... At about 1.30 A.M. The second officer in charge of the midnight watch remarked that it looked very black ahead. Almost at the same moment a tremendous roar was heard ahead; and a gust of wind taking the ship flat [ill.] Masts prostrate on the decks. So instantaneous was the [ill.] Roar, that, although all halyards and sheets were let fly, it was of no avail. The wind was succeeded by a torrent of rain, which lasted about five minutes, and then left all calm and quiet, but water ankle deep on deck. The ship was a wreck, her decks stove, launch and bulwarks smashed by the fall of the foremast, and the first cutter crushed by the maintopsail-yard. At four A.M. The weather was calm and sultry, with [ill.]'