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The ship Rangoon sinks, 1871
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The ship Rangoon sinks, 1871
The P&O mail steamship Rangoon sinking after the removal of the passengers and crew. The ship was accidently run onto the rocks when leaving Galle harbour in Sri Lanka, where it eventually sank.
1871
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Media ID 14399574
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1871 Accident Ceylon Galle Jul16 Lanka Mail Rangoon Sank Sinking Steamship Sunk Wreck
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This haunting image captures the final moments of the P&O mail steamship Rangoon as it sinks into the waters off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka, in 1871. The ship, which had been transporting passengers and cargo between India and Europe, had accidentally run aground as it was leaving the harbor. Despite the efforts of the crew and local residents to save the vessel, the Rangoon eventually succumbed to the relentless waves and sank. The photograph, taken by an unknown photographer for the Illustrated London News, poignantly depicts the ship's slow demise as it lists heavily to one side, its once proud hull now awash with water. The masts and rigging are submerged, and the once bustling decks are now deserted, save for a few figures in the foreground who stand as silent witnesses to the tragedy. The scene is one of chaos and despair, with small boats scrambling to rescue those still aboard, while others look on from the safety of the shore. The sun sets in the background, casting a golden glow over the scene, adding an air of melancholy to the image. The sinking of the Rangoon was a major maritime disaster of the late 1800s, and this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the risks and uncertainties of life at sea during that era. Today, the wreck of the Rangoon lies beneath the waves, a testament to the power of the sea and the resilience of those who sailed upon it.
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