3-028-809 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Crocodile Indian troop-ship in a storm, 1870. Engraving of a sketch by Staff Commander N. G. Arguimbau, R.N., of H.M.S. Crocodile '...in a heavy sea, in the Bay of Biscay, during the great storm of three days in January last. The Crocodile, under the command of Captain J. W. Watson, left Portsmouth on the morning of the 6th, having on board draughts of various regiments serving in India, consisting of 57 officers, 14 ladies, 1012 men, 212 women and children - in all, 1578 souls, including the officers and crew of the ship. At starting the weather looked threatening, with a fresh breeze from the southward, which steadily increased until the morning of the 8th, about six o'clock, when the gale reached its utmost fury. At this time the sea was tremendous, and had an appearance of terrific grandeur; the waves at times seeming...as if about to overwhelm the ship. The vessel constantly rolled 44 deg., dipping her boats into the water on both sides...The ship lay to for sixteen hours, under easy steam and storm-sails. The tempest was thus weathered, without any serious accident, and on the morning of the 9th the wind veered to the northward, and the ship resumed her course. The weather was fine during the remainder of the voyage to Alexandria'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.