2-970-243 - /Heritage Images

The Running Down of Lord Alfred Paget's Yacht "Alma" off Dover, 1856. Collision at sea. 'Lord Alfred Paget describes the loss of his yacht, and the narrow escape from drowning of his Lordship and her crew...I saw a steamer making straight for us at full speed. In about a couple of minutes she struck us in the starboard bow, causing the yacht to reel almost under water...Had any look-out been kept on board the steamer, on so lovely and calm a night, a vessel might easily have been seen two miles off...but I am sorry to say that in too many instances these vessels, going at the rate of 12 or 14 knots an hour, altogether neglect that precaution, and many a poor fisherman is run down by them, and never heard of more...The vessel which caused this catastrophe is the Belgian mail-steamer the Diamant, is the property of the Belgian Government, and performs...the mail service between Dover and Ostend'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.