John Fairbairn Fannen (British, 1847-1904)
The Ocean Liner "Elbe" struck by the Steamship Crathie, 31st January 1895
oil on canvas, signed J. Fannen lower left and dated 1896. Queenan, Sunderland canvas stamp, modern gold reproduction frame
20 x 33in. (50.8 x 83.8 cm.)
* Notes: Painted in 1896 the year after the tragic sinking of the German ocean liner SS Elbe after being struck by the Scottish steam ship Crathie in the North Sea. The SS Elbe had left Bremerhaven for New York early on 30th January 1895 with 354 passengers on board. That night conditions in the North Sea were freezing and there were huge seas. As conditions worsened, she discharged warning rockets to alert other ships to her presence, but these were either not seen or ignored by the steamship Crathie en route from Rotterdam to Aberdeen with general cargo and twelve crew. The Crathie collided with the Elbe at 5.30am on the morning of 31st January 1895 striking her on the port bow with such force that she began to sink immediately. Most of the passengers were asleep when the captain gave the order to abandon ship. Only two lifeboats were launched, one of which capsized as a result of too many passengers trying to squeeze into the boat. There were just twenty survivors. The Crathie was also badly damaged in the collision but managed to struggle on to Rotterdam. Asked why he had not stayed to help and pick up passengers from the Elbe, the captain said that he ship would sink and besides it appeared to him that the Elbe was sailing away from his position.

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