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The sinking of the steamship Lyonnais is considered one of the worst maritime disasters of the 19th century, as only 18 people survived the collision.
Atlantic Wreck Salvage (AWS) divers have announced that they have recovered the wreckage of the steamer Lyonnais, which tragically sank in 1856. About this reported the Maritime Executive.
The wreckage of a ship that sank nearly 170 years ago has been found about 200 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. The sinking of the Lyonnais is one of the worst maritime disasters of the 19th century, as only 18 people survived the collision. A total of 114 passengers and crew members died.
The steamer was built in 1855 by Laird & Sons of Birkenhead, Great Britain. It is considered a transitional link between sailing ships and early steam ships. Lyonnais carried passengers between Le Garve in France and New York and South America. The steamer had a length of 82,9 meters and a gross weight of 1600 tons.
The ship made two voyages to South America in 1856 before embarking on her maiden voyage from Le Havre to New York in October 1856. However, on November 2, on the way back to France, in heavy fog, Lyonnais collided with the American sailing ship Adriatic.
Historical accounts from the Gibson House Museum state that the Adriatic collided with the Lyonnais, despite the latter displaying its lights and sounding its horn as it approached the sailboat.
As a result of the collision, a large hole was formed in the hull of the steamer. Crew members tried to save the ship by throwing excess cargo into the sea and tried to cover the hole in the hull with mattresses. When it became apparent that the steamer was going to sink, the passengers and crew abandoned the ship using lifeboats and a makeshift raft. Six days later, rescuers found one boat with 12 people on board. All others are missing.
