Scene after the Accident - launch of HMS Albion at Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S. Albion at Blackwall - the scene after the accident. In June 1898, the H.M.S. Albion was launched at Blackwall by the Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George V and Queen Mary). As the ship slipped, the volume of displaced water washed away a gangway between the slips which was crowded with spectators. Many people fell into the water and 34, mainly women and children were tragically drowned. At an inquest afterwards neither the organisers or the police were held accountable and instead it was ruled that the crowds, mainly working class people from nearby Plaistow and Canning Town were responsible for overcrowding the gangway that gave way and resulted in the tragedy
Picture No
12348031
Media ID
46546245
Size
5173px x 3459px
(4.3MB)
Credit
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Source
Illustration on the front cover of The Illustrated London News based on a photograph by Thankfull Sturdee, 25 June 1898
Date
1898
