3-052-663 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Foundering of the Union Company's mail steam-ship American: the boats leaving the ship, 1880. 'Mail-boat (fourth officer); Dingey (first quartermaster); First Cutter (third officer); Second Cutter (boatswain); Second Life-boat (first officer); First Life-boat (captain); Gig (carpenter); Third Life-boat (second officer)...Engraving from a sketch by Mr. W. Stevenson, third officer...that shows her situation when she was abandoned, and actually sinking...and all the boats, each under charge of one of the ship's officers, assembled at a safe distance, and awaiting the disappearance of the ship in her final plunge to the bottom of the sea...the ship was found to be making water very rapidly in the after-hold and tunnel...The commander then gave orders for the passengers to leave the vessel, which was accomplished in a quiet, orderly manner...all hope of saving the ship having been given up, the commander gave the order to take to the boats, and was himself the last to leave the ship. At 12.20 the ship foundered, going down stern foremost...The coolness and decision displayed by Captain Maclean Wait was incomparable during this sad disaster, and inspired the utmost confidence in passengers and crew'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.