Name SS Daphne Type Passenger-cargo vessel Beam 25 ft (7.6 m) Length 54 m | Yard number 279 Tonnage 449 GRT Launched 3 July 1883 | |
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Fate Foundered on launchingLater raised, repaired and put into service Builder Alexander Stephen and Sons | ||
SS Daphne was a ship which sank moments after her launching at the shipyard of Alexander Stephen and Sons in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland, on 3 July 1883.
Contents
Background
Around 200 workmen were on board the ship at the time it was launched, ready to begin fitting out work as soon as she was properly afloat. According to the usual practice during a launching, anchors were attached by cable to each side of the ship. As the Daphne moved into the river, the anchors failed to stop the ship's forward progress. The starboard anchor moved only 6 to 7 yards (5.5 to 6.4 meters), but the port anchor was dragged 60 yards (55 meters). The current of the river caught Daphne and flipped her over onto her port side, sinking her in deep water.
Around 70 lives were saved, but 124 died (some sources say 195 died), including many young boys, some of whose relatives watched the ceremony from shore.
Inquiry
An inquiry was held afterward; the shipyard owners were held blameless, which led to claims of a cover-up. The cause of the disaster was reported to be little initial stability combined with too much loose gear and too many people aboard.
One of the outcomes of the disaster was the limiting of personnel aboard to only those necessary for mooring the ship after the launch.
The Daphne was later raised, repaired, and renamed the Rose.
Memorials
Two memorials, to what was known at the time as the "Linthouse Disaster", exist; one erected in Victoria Park, Whiteinch in 1996 and another in Elder Park, Govan.