Note 31 — Chapter XXII
Reading edition
As this goes to press I add a few extracts from a report in the “Times” of December 8, 1854, of the loss of the troop ship “Charlotte” and 117 lives in Algoa Bay, September 20th:—
“*** On the life-boat coming alongside it was found that every one on board was completely paralysed, or overcome by the calamity. *** Three separate times the life-boat pulled alongside, but there was no one in a position even to cast a line to it. *** A great number threw themselves overboard. Some were fortunate enough to reach the shore, but the majority were drowned.”
This ship was apparently in a position favourable for the preservation of life, had confidence existed.