3-086-459 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duchess of York christening the "Albion", 1898. 'On June 21 H.M.S. Albion was launched at the Thames Ironworks, Blackwall...What seemed a most brilliant and successful function was destined to be marred by an appalling disaster, involving the loss of many lives...the royal visitors were accompanied...by Mr. A. F. Hills, manager of the Thames Ironworks...her Royal Highness, with a silver knife, cut the slender cord that nominally held the Albion to the slip...the vessel left the ways in perfect style amid great enthusiasm, and the distinguished guests did not suspect that the general rejoicing had suddenly become an occasion of mourning. The Duke and Duchess of York had, indeed, left the building yard before they learned that a terrible mishap had occurred. A gangway between two slips upon which some hundreds of people were gathered to witness the proceedings, had been washed away by the wave caused by the displacement of water consequent upon the launch...The occupants of the staging were precipitated into deep water and upwards of thirty were drowned...the bodies of victims, mostly women and children belonging to the poor districts of Plaistow and Canning Town, were brought ashore...[and] laid in a temporary mortuary.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.