3-028-121 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

H.M.S. Agincourt aground on the Pearl Rock, Gibraltar Bay, 1871. Engraving of a sketch by an eye-witness showing '...the Agincourt lying below the hills of the Spanish coast, to the left hand, near the lighthouse...The Rock of Gibraltar, with the town and harbour, is to the right hand; in the centre of the background is the hill called "the Queen of Spain's Chair." The Hercules, with the Pigeon and launches in attendance, is near the Agincourt, preparing to render assistance. The Warrior appears in the centre of this view; the Northumberland and the Monarch are to the right; the stern only of the Minotaur is shown in the left-hand corner, almost close to the spectator, but three miles from the shore...The Agincourt, by faulty steering, or by some inadvertence or negligence in directing her course, went upon the Pearl Rock, a well-known dangerous obstacle...Fortunately, [on] the third day after the accident, there was an unusually high tide at Gibraltar, caused by an easterly wind...The water rose some inches higher than it had done before on the Pearl Rock; and the Agincourt, having been lightened about 1000 tons, was towed off by the Hercules, with chain cables. Her double bottom was full of water... She has been sent to Malta for repairs'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.