The BUCKINGHAMSHIRE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1851

On Thursday, March 1st 1851, the Buckinghamshire left Calcutta for England
She was destroyed by fire on March 4th, just a few days after she set sail.
This report is courtesy of Peter Barclay, Adelaide

On Thursday, March 1st 1851, the BUCKINGHAMSHIRE left Calcutta for England under Captain McGregor, with a crew of 100, of whom 30 were European and 70 Lascars. The passengers were made up of 70 soldiers of the 80th foot and their families, many of the men being invalids and 33 cuddy (cabin) passengers. The run down the Hoogly was accomplished in fair weather and on Monday, the 4th, the ship lay to for the night off Canterbury Point and dropped the pilot.

The passengers and soldiers were singing and dancing when at about 10 pm a fire was discovered amongst the cargo of jute, and the pumps were manned at once. Unfortunately there was some panic among the soldiers and passengers, but the captain managed to persuade the soldiers to fight the fire, though not before seven of them had been drowned through jumping overboard.

The BUCKINGHAMSHIRE continued to fire a signal gun and attracted a steamer which took off most of the passengers. The fire had by now taken a firm hold on the fore part of the ship up to the mainmast, the wreck ultimately drifting ashore where the remainder of those on board were taken off. The only persons lost were the seven soldiers previously mentioned. [Lloyds Register of Shipping 1838/9; Lloyds List 1838/9, "Dictionary of Disasters During the Age of Steam" by C. Hocking].		 The "Illustrated London News" of April 19th, 1851 reports: Destruction by Fire of an East Indiaman, and Loss of Life. On Wednesday it was announced at Lloyd`s that the "BUCKINGHAMSHIRE" Indiaman, a splendid ship of 2000 tons burden, was burnt, on her homeward voyage from Calcutta, a few days after she set sail, on Thursday, March 1st 1851. Her crew amounted to nearly 100 hands, 30 being Englishmen, and 70 Lascars.

She had on board 33 cabin passengers, namely, Major Cooper, Lieutenant Swaly and Lieutenant Wilkinson, who had command of the invalids; Lieutenant Turner, Lieutenant Mason, Dr Pratt, Dr.Payne, Mrs.Macgregor, Mrs Murray and son, Mrs.Maxwell and six children, Mr. Church and one child, a Lady(name unknown) and six children, Mrs. Goodell, Miss. Clune, Mr. W. Murray, Mr. John Glenfal, Mr. Rich, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Chambers.

Steerage passengers included: about 70 of the 80th Regiment of Foot, with their families, and 31 invalids (whose numbers included women and children).

The passage from Calcutta down the Hooghley passed agreeably, and on the evening of the following Monday, March 4th 1851, she was brought up for the night and to discharge the pilot off Canterbury Point, about ten miles below Diamond harbour. The weather was fine, and most of the passengers and soldiers were on deck, singing, dancing and otherwise amusing themselves. Shortly after they retired to rest, about ten o`clock [22:00], the vessel was discovered to be on fire in the forehold, and in a short time the flames extended over the whole vessel.

A steamer quickly arrived to their aid, and thus the greater portion of the crew and passengers was saved; but some of the invalids, in their fright when the first alarm bring given, threw themselves overboard, and drowned. The noble ship continued burning the whole night and for the two following nights and days, before she glided into the deep water and sank. None of the passengers saved even a change of clothing and were reduced to destitution by the calamity. Many of the families were reduced by the calamity to an absolute state of destitution.

She was laden with a most valuable cargo, consisting of East India produce. The total loss is calculated to exceed £120,000. It is as yet impossible to say how the ship caught fire. It is supposed that she was wilfully set on fire by some of the Lascars, but no evidence has been adduced to confirm this report.