Wreck of the Kent East India Ship, circa 1847

Madeley lith. 3 wellington st strand. The kent east indiaman. On fire during a storm in the bay of biscay, having the head quarters and 5 companies of the 31st regt on board, the brig cambria, opportunely appears in sight, & 553 out of a total of 637 souls are rescued. 1st march, 1825. For cannon’s military records. Book: the thirty-first, or, the huntingdonshire regiment of foot. By command of his late majesty william the ivth. And under the patronage of her majesty the queen. Historical records, of the british army comprising the history of every regiment in her majesty’s service. By richard cannon esqre. Adjutant generals office, horse guards. London. Printed by authority. London: printed by w. Clowes and sons, stamford street, for her majesty’s stationery office. Excerpts: destruction of the “kent” east indiaman by fire in the bay of biscay 80 gallant conduct of the right wing, embarked in the “kent” during the conflagration 81 names of the officers, and the number of the men, women, and children, saved by the ships “cambria” and “caroline” 82 letter from the adjutant-general to lieut. -colonel fearon, commanding the thirty-first, expressive of the commander-in-chief’s approbation of the courage and discipline displayed by the right wing of the regiment during the burning of the “kent”. In february 1825, he (thomas skinner (british army officer, died 1843)) sailed with the left wing of the thirty-first in the scaleby castle for calcutta, the regiment being ordered to reinforce the army at that time acting in burmah; but owing to the burning of her consort, the kent east indiaman, in the bay of biscay, with the right wing, the regiment was inefficient, and remained in garrison at calcutta. Date: circa 1847.