2-889-582 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Wreck of the "Superb" Steamer, 1850. 'The wreck of the Superb occurred on the Minquiers Rocks [about 15 km south of Jersey in the Channel Islands] and resulted in the loss of eleven persons, who perished in smooth water and in broad daylight...She struck violently at half-past nine a.m. on the sunken rocks, and immediately filled with water; her bows having been thrown on the rocks, caused her to heel over, throwing the passengers on the starboard side of the vessel. The captain, it is said, immediately ordered the boats (of which there were only two) to be lowered. The fire at the same moment was extinguished by the water, and an immediate rush was made for the other boat; but all who entered it found a watery grave, for there is reason to believe that the plugs were not in the beat, and they got off without an oar...The survivors are about 40 in number'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.