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A most magnificent iron steam-frigate [the Birkenhead], built expressly for the royal navy, was launched on the Mersey, on New Year's Day [1846], from the yard at North Birkenhead. This is the first large vessel of war ever built on the shores of that noble river, and, therefore, a few particulars respecting her may be interesting. Her dimensions are as follows :- Length between perpendiculars . . 210 feetBreadth within paddle-wheels .... 37� feet Ditto outside ditto . 60� feet Depth of hold ... . . . . . . . . 23 feet Tonnage (Carpenter's measurement)] 1400 tons. She will be propelled by paddle-wheels, and the engines will he of 560 horse power. The engine-room, magazine, and. shell-room are all protected by iron encasements. The upper deck is flush, and of great area; and there are two other decks below, the height between each is ample. This fine vessel was, by command of the Admiralty; christened the Birkenhead. Her armament will be two 96 pound first guns, one forward and the other aft, and four 68 pounder broadside guns ; so that with the aid of her steam she will prove a formidable opponent to any adversary. The launch took place exactly at twenty minutes past eleven, and the ceremony of christening was performed by the Marchioness of Westminster. There were present, in addition to her ladyship, the Marquess of Westminster, the Earl of Wilton, Sir Philip and Lady Egerton, Sir Edward and Lady Cust, Mr. Ireland Blackburn, M.P., and a host of the principal gentry in South Cheshire. The Admiralty was represented by Captain Black, R N. After the launch, which was beautifully effected, the principal visitors sat down to a splendid dejeuner, at which the usual loyal toasts were drunk; and "Success to Her Majesty's steamer the Birkenhead," was proposed and responded to amidst loud cheers. SG 30 May 1846 P 154
The Birkenhead left Simon's Bay at six o'clock on Wednesday evening, February 25th, with the troops enumerated, and at two in the morning struck on a rock just off Cape Hanglip. When the vessel struck, there were three fathoms water forward, eleven fathoms aft, and seven on each side of the paddle-boxes. She was going at 7� knots. The bow of the vessel was stove in by the shock, and the water rushed in so furiously that the fires were almost instantly extinguished ; the chief engineer and several stokers were drowned in the engine-room before the engines could be reversed, as ordered by Capt. Salmond. In a few minutes the back of the vessel broke, and she sunk, and was broken to pieces in five or ten minutes. There was no time to lower either the pinnace or paddle-box boats, but the gig and two cutters were got into the water. The Captain immediately ordered the women and children to be put into them. This was done. There were four or five women, among whom were Mrs. Nisbett, wife of quarter-master Nisbett, now on the frontier, with her four or five children. One of the boats was then, manned by Mr. Richards, the master assistant, and the other two boats were filled by about 12 soldiers, 30 sailors, and 2 marines. The three boats then left the remains of the vessel, to which many were still clinging - Captain Salmond being last seen in the rigging of the mizen-mast, but a great number had perished at once in their hammocks. As the vessel was sinking, the surgeon, Mr. Culhane, swam off from the wreck, and overtook the boats, after swimming about a mile and a half : The boats proceeded in company, and attempted to land at Hanglip, but it was found impossible on account of the surf. They then pulled to the eastward, and shortly spied a sail, and made for it ; but after pulling in company ten or twelve miles without being able to make her hail it was determined to man one of the boats with volunteers from the rest, and follow the vessel as far as possible. This was done, and the boat in question pulled about fifty miles as agreed on ; Mr. Culhane was in the boat. After pulling thus about ten hours, finding themselves utterly unable to catch or hail the vessel, they landed ; with great difficulty at Point D'Urban, between Mudge Point and Danger Point. Here they found a store kept by a Mr. Phillipson, at which three daughters of Mr. Metcalf were staying, all of whom were most kind and attentive to the wrecked and wearied boat's crew. Mr. Culhane procured a horse, and rode to Cape Town as fast as possible, in order to send the earliest assistance to search for the other two boats, and for the survivors left on the wreck. He set off at five last night, and after a ride of ninety miles, arrived this morning at nine o'clock. Mr. Culhane states that the two other boats, one of which contained the women and children, had not been seen for about four hours before they landed nor is it known where they are. It is to be feared, besides those left clinging to the wreck, whom it is hardly to be hoped can be saved, between 400 and 500 men have been drowned. The only officers who escaped from the wreck were Mr. Richards, the Master-assistant, Mr. Renwick, Mr. Culhane and Mr. Bowen, Staff Surgeon : the latter is in one of the absent boats. Mr. Freshfield, Clerk of the vessel, we have ascertained, was left behind sick at Simon's Bay. The boat which was landed had seven men besides Mr. Culhane. The other two contained thirty-five souls in each, including the women and children. The Government steamer Rhadamanthus has bean dispatched to the wreck, to look after the missing boats. The Styx, which sailed on Thursday night, would pass the spot about daylight yesterday morning, but there can be little hope that she would discover either the wreck or the boats. The troops on board consisted of 499 officers and men ; the crew, 132 ; women and children, 12 ; total, 650 persons. Names of the officers on board the Birkenhead when lost: Cornets Bond and Rolt (12th Lancers), The following are the officers of the Birkenhead, taken from the Navy List for January : Master Commander R. Salmond ; SG & SGTL ; Vol. 9 p. 125 ^ back to top ^ |
