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Lot Essay
The inscription reads: Presented to Mr. Edw. Conolly First Mate of Brig Cambria. By the Officers of the 31st Regt. and the Officers and Passengers of the Kent East Indiaman, for his valuable assistance in rescuing the 554 Persons from the wreck of that Vessel, during her Conflagration on the 1st of March 1825.
The saving of those aboard the burning Kent was one of the most dramatic sea rescues of the nineteenth century. Kent, 1,332 tons, was built at the East India Company's own yard at Blackwell, on the Thames, in 1820 and had already completed three return voyages to India when she was chartered to transport the officers and men of the 31st Regiment of Foot en route for service in the East. Leaving the downs on 19 February 1825, Kent made good progress until, on 1 March, during a severe gale in the Bay of Biscay, a lighted lamp was accidentally dropped into the main hold, where it immediately ignited some spirits which had escaped from a damaged cask. The fire spread rapidly and was soon threatening to engulf the ship while those aboard her saw little hope of escape. As if by a miracle, Cambria, a small 200-ton brig commanded by Captain William Cook and carrying 36 Cornish tin miners to Vera Cruz, came into sight and, despite the reluctance of Kent's own crew to assist, rescued all but 82 persons from the blazing ship. Cambria returned to Falmouth crammed with 547 survivors and was met with a tumultuous reception before those saved were sent ashore. The locals raised money for the survivors and silver medals were awarded to the brave miners who had saved their lives. Several artists produced works commemorating this disaster, including Thomas Buttersworth, William Daniell and Thomas Luny.
The saving of those aboard the burning Kent was one of the most dramatic sea rescues of the nineteenth century. Kent, 1,332 tons, was built at the East India Company's own yard at Blackwell, on the Thames, in 1820 and had already completed three return voyages to India when she was chartered to transport the officers and men of the 31st Regiment of Foot en route for service in the East. Leaving the downs on 19 February 1825, Kent made good progress until, on 1 March, during a severe gale in the Bay of Biscay, a lighted lamp was accidentally dropped into the main hold, where it immediately ignited some spirits which had escaped from a damaged cask. The fire spread rapidly and was soon threatening to engulf the ship while those aboard her saw little hope of escape. As if by a miracle, Cambria, a small 200-ton brig commanded by Captain William Cook and carrying 36 Cornish tin miners to Vera Cruz, came into sight and, despite the reluctance of Kent's own crew to assist, rescued all but 82 persons from the blazing ship. Cambria returned to Falmouth crammed with 547 survivors and was met with a tumultuous reception before those saved were sent ashore. The locals raised money for the survivors and silver medals were awarded to the brave miners who had saved their lives. Several artists produced works commemorating this disaster, including Thomas Buttersworth, William Daniell and Thomas Luny.