2-979-690 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Her Majesty's Troop-Ship "Transit", refitting and receiving stores for China in Portsmouth Harbour, 1857. Royal Navy ship '...built by Messrs. C. Mare and Co...furnished with engines, by the Messrs. Napier, of 500-horse power...the Transit returned to Spithead almost in a sinking state...it was reported that the ship was making water fast, and that there was already five feet of water in the hold. The anchor was weighed, and, on its being sighted, it was found to come up with half the stock gone. It then became apparent that, on the setting in of the young flood, the ship had been driven on her anchor, and had knocked a hole in her bottom. The water by this time had rapidly gained ahead, nine feet being reported. The donkey engine was set to work and manned by the troops and the crew, and Commander Chambers put her about and brought her back to Spithead'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.