.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Delhi was one of four very similar sisterships built for P.& O. in 1905, the order for her having gone to Caird's at Greenock. A handsome single-funnelled three-decked steamer with accommodation for 160 First and 80 Second class passengers, she was registered at 8,090 tons gross and measured 470 feet in length with a 56½ foot beam. Driven by twin screws powered by two quadruple-expansion 4-cylinder 1,257 nhp. engines fired from 6 boilers, she could steam at 15½ knots and entered service on the company's intermediate route to India and the Far East in November 1905.
After six broadly uneventful years, Delhi was then lost in circumstances which, whilst dramatic enough in themselves, took on an additional dimension when it became known that the wreck had involved close members of the British Royal Family, namely H.R.H. the Princess Royal [Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife and eldest daughter of King Edward VII], her husband the Duke of Fife, and their two daughters, Princesses Alexandra and Maud. The family were en route to Egypt and the Sudan to spend the winter when the Delhi ran into some very rough weather during the night of 12-13 December 1911. At about 2.00 am. on the 13th the ship ran ashore two miles from Cape Spartel, just north of Tangiers on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, and was clearly in some danger. A wireless distress call was sent out and the first on the scene was the French cruiser Friant which sent her steam launch in an unsuccessful rescue attempt which cost the lives of three matelots when it capsized in the heavy seas. Next to arrive was the battleship H.M.S. London in company with the cruiser H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh, both despatched at top speed from the Atlantic fleet lying at Gibraltar. Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Craddock was in command of the mission and he personally took one of Duke of Edinburgh's boats alongside the Delhi and, with great difficulty, took the Royal Party off at about 11.00 am. Even then however the drama was not over and before the boat could make the beach, it was swamped and everyone aboard thrown into the raging surf. Princess Alexandra was nearly drowned but all eventually came safely to land and took refuge after an exhausting four mile trek to the Cape Spartel lighthouse. When, subsequently, Delhi broke her back on the rocks, she was declared a total loss even though most of her cargo, including almost £300,000 in gold and silver bullion, was recovered.
After six broadly uneventful years, Delhi was then lost in circumstances which, whilst dramatic enough in themselves, took on an additional dimension when it became known that the wreck had involved close members of the British Royal Family, namely H.R.H. the Princess Royal [Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife and eldest daughter of King Edward VII], her husband the Duke of Fife, and their two daughters, Princesses Alexandra and Maud. The family were en route to Egypt and the Sudan to spend the winter when the Delhi ran into some very rough weather during the night of 12-13 December 1911. At about 2.00 am. on the 13th the ship ran ashore two miles from Cape Spartel, just north of Tangiers on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, and was clearly in some danger. A wireless distress call was sent out and the first on the scene was the French cruiser Friant which sent her steam launch in an unsuccessful rescue attempt which cost the lives of three matelots when it capsized in the heavy seas. Next to arrive was the battleship H.M.S. London in company with the cruiser H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh, both despatched at top speed from the Atlantic fleet lying at Gibraltar. Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Craddock was in command of the mission and he personally took one of Duke of Edinburgh's boats alongside the Delhi and, with great difficulty, took the Royal Party off at about 11.00 am. Even then however the drama was not over and before the boat could make the beach, it was swamped and everyone aboard thrown into the raging surf. Princess Alexandra was nearly drowned but all eventually came safely to land and took refuge after an exhausting four mile trek to the Cape Spartel lighthouse. When, subsequently, Delhi broke her back on the rocks, she was declared a total loss even though most of her cargo, including almost £300,000 in gold and silver bullion, was recovered.