2-889-458 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Boat Catastrophe, and the "Lalla Rookh" in Distress, off Worthing, 1850. Shipwrick off the coast of Sussex. '...a heavily laden barque, since ascertained to have been the Lalla Rookh, bound to London from the Brazils, was observed riding at anchor, and labouring severely. It being evident that she was in difficulties, having lost her mainmast, a boat with eleven men put off from Worthing to her aid, and, notwithstanding the tremendous surf that was running, the brave fellows made a desperate effort to reach the barque. They had got within a short distance of the vessel, and were about to get the weather side, when a terrific sea caught the boat and immediately capsized her...For a moment or so they were seen struggling in the water: the violent lashing of the surf, however, soon overpowered them, and every one perished. Most of them have left large families'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.