On 14 November, 1872, the 1320-ton ship left London bound for Sydney, Australia.
On 25 November, the Royal Adelaide was sighted off Chesil Beach, caught in a strong south-westerly gale. Despite the crew’s desperate attempts to change tack, the ship was driven onto the beach.
The 72m ironclad clipper was fully laden with 2,600 tons of mixed cargo and 35 fare-paying passengers hoping to start a new life Down Under. Captain Martin and his crew of 31 brought the tally to 67.
The Coastguard managed to attach a line to the ship using rockets and started transferring people to safety using a cradle. Seven drowned, during the rescue attempt.
Word quickly spread about the demise of the Adelaide. As darkness fell, more than 1,000 people gathered on the beachfront to watch the ship breaking up. Shipwrecks were exciting times, giving locals the opportunity to loot any cargo that got washed ashore.
The Adelaide was carrying a consignment of rum, brandy and a refined form of gin called Wolffs aromatic schnapps. This initiated a mass drinking spree on the cold, wet beach. According to reports, 20 people died of exposure in the harsh November conditions.
