Ship facing to left in image lying on its proper left sinking into ocean. Six battleships flank it to far left in background.

The sinking of the battleship Victoria was considered one of the most disastrous ship collisions in the history of the Royal Navy. This print illustrates the tragic events of that day in 1893. As the bow of the ship sank, hundreds of men clung to the ship or leapt into the water. Lifeboats scurried around the sinking vessel in attempt to rescue survivors. The battleship Victoria was the flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet. On June 22, 1893, off the coast of Syria, the fleet was to drop anchor in formation. However, the maneuver proved to be a complicated one, and as two ships made their turns they collided. Within thirteen minutes the battleship Victoria sank. Over 400 men, including the commander, perished.

Object Creator

Currier & Ives (American, 1834-1907)

Object Creation Date

1893

Medium

Hand-colored lithograph

Dimensions

13 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches

Credit

Gift of Lenore B. and Sidney A. Alpert supplemented with Museum Acquistions Funds

Accession Number

2004.D03.319

On View?

No

Image Request

Request Image for Reproduction