Scinde - a general history

Completed August 1862; Official No. 45030.

Owners: Holmes & Co, London.

Masters: 1862-63 Edward Shrewsbury (C.N. 4119 London 1851).

Voyages: Hartlepool for London & India.

The Scinde left Britain in October 1862 for Kurrachee with a cargo of railway iron. On her return voyage she had a cargo of coffee & other East Indian produce at Clicut on the Malabar Coast. In May 1863 she had to put in at Mauritius for repairs after being damaged in a hurricane. She left to continue her journey for London on 15 July 1863. Over 1,000 miles from land on 29 September a leak was discovered.  Although the pumps were used the water carried on gaining & the decision was made to abandon the vessel. The sails were shortened, the ship turned to windward & the boats got ready. The longboat was stove in as she was got out which left just three boats. The vessel was now beginning to sink & there was only time to put a keg of water & a couple of bags of biscuits into the boats. The master lowered his wife, two children & two passengers into one of the boats & the crew of 24 took the other boats. The Swedish barque Erica picked up all the occupants & landed them at Queenstown. The loss to the underwriters was an estimated at £100,000 on this new ship & her cargo. Why she sprang a leak remained a mystery but it was thought that the heavy cargo of railway iron she had carried had put a strain on the vessel & caused damage which had escaped notice.

On 23 October 1863 The Times printed the following message:

‘Sir, we the undersigned, passengers on board the late ship Scinde,which foundered on the 29 September in 46.42N/23.10W, wish to return our sincerest thanks to Captain Eric Nassen, of the Swedish barque Erica, for his prompt attention in rescuing us from the boats in which we had left the sinking ship, for many disinterested acts of kindness shown us while on board his vessel, stinting himself & crew (he being very short of provisions)  in order to minister to our wants, & for his gentlemanly deportment & delicate attentions shown the ladies & children by resigning his cabin to their use, & endeavouring to alleviate the sufferings in striving to the best of his abilities to make it both agreeable & pleasant for them. To him & his officers we will ever bear feelings of grateful remembrance & hope he may meet with the reward due to the benefactors of humanity.

Robert B Shankland, United States Vice-Consul & WL O’B Hoare.’

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