HMS 'Pegasus', 3rd-class protected cruiser, at Zanzibar, 19 September 1914 RMG PV3457, William Lionel Wyllie, circa 1914

Hms 'pegasus', 3rd-class protected cruiser, at zanzibar, 19 september 1914 this drawing is an almost exact copy of a photograph of the 3rd-class protected cruiser 'pegasus' (1897) anchored in the harbour at zanzibar, kenya, on 19 september 1914 for boiler cleaning and engine maintenance. She has awnings rigged amidships and at the base of the mainmast. The day after this photograph was taken the 'pegasus' was caught powerless there, soon after dawn, by the german light cruiser 'königsberg' (1905). Outranged and outgunned she was very badly damaged and started to sink. Attempts were made to beach her but she sank with just her masts above the water. Sources differ concerning the casualties among her 234 crew: figures of 31 dead and 55 wounded are the most common but 45 killed and 59 dead are also quoted. Her eight 4-inch guns were salvaged and used in the land campaign against german east africa. The wreck was demolished by explosives in 1955-56 and the shattered remains still lie in a corner of zanzibar harbour. The inscription by wyllie along the bottom appears to be a diary note not relevant to the drawing: 'sunday 28th may / 2. 45 st marys church kingstone. . Bp 1st july'. Date: circa 1914. Dimensions: 247 mm x 311 mm. Collection: Fine art.