Burning of the White Star Liner Blue Jacket.

Rare c.19th hand coloured engraving showing the burning of the Blue Jacket off the Falkland Islands having departed the Port of Llytellton on February 11th with a cargo of wool.

Captain White’s account stated “that the wool self combusted and the fire was unable to be put out. He was also informed that when the ship was about leaving port, a sailor, who had been engaged for the voyage home, refused to go on board, because of the wool was packed in such a damp condition, that he believed it was sure to lead to combustion. The man was laughed at by the other workers.”

From the original edition of the Illustrated Australian News. 

Collections:
University Queensland: Identifier 991000982479703131
State Library Victoria: PCINF IAN 04-09-76 P.133
National Library Australia: Bib ID 2495305
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS F079/55, TN380
Royal Geographic Society SA: RGS Special Coll. 079.94 I29d

References:
Syme, E. & D, Illustrated Australian News. ISSN 2208-5386.