“The Loss of the Amphitrite”
Description
The Amphitrite leaves port, bound for Australia. Two days out she runs aground and sinks, killing all the passengers and most of the crew. The singer and two others survive by clinging to a spar (though one of them dies later)
Notes
For an account of the accident see broadside NLScotland, F.3.a.13(126), "Horrible Shipwreck !," Menzies (Lawnmarket), 1833 ("Taken from this day's Observer. Boulogne-sur-Mer, 1st Sep. 1833"). - BS
Cox also gives a contemporary description of the storm in which the _Amphitrite_ sank.
According to Hudson and Nicholls, _Tragedy on the High Seas_, much of the fault belongs to the captain. Undermanned, and overcrowded with 136 people aboard, she ran into a severe storm, and the captain ran her aground but would not let anyone take to the boats; she had convicts aboard and he didn't want them getting loose. The ship eventually broke up, and only three survived. - RBW
Historical references
- 1833 - The Amphitrite, carrying female convicts to Australia, runs aground near Boulogne; only three sailors are saved
Cross references
- cf. "Rounding the Horn" (subject)
Broadsides
- Bodleian, Johnson Ballads 1947, "Loss of the Amphitrite," W & T Fordice (New astle), c. 1840; also Firth c.12(78), H. Such (London), 1863-1885; Firth c.13(277), J. Forth (Pocklington), no date; Johnson Ballads 1947, "Loss of the Amphitrite"
References
- Laws K4, "The Loss of the Amphitrite"
- JHCox 87, "The Anford-Wright" (1 text)
- DT 740, AMPHITRI
- Roud #301
- BI, LK04