Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Shaw, Savill and Company to
Carnarvon, Earl 3 February 1859, CO 60:6, no. 1273, 634.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Shaw Saville & Co., Ship and Insurance Brokers, “regret greatly” to inform the Colonial
Office that the Briseis sank off the coast of Brazil while carrying “400 tons of miscellaneous supplies.”
The minutes thank the writers for the information and speculate that the ship fire
may have been caused by “spontaneous combustion” due to its cargo of “Iron houses,
& hay.”
Enclosed is a draft reply from Carnarvon to Shaw, Savill and Company, 12 February 1859, expressing thanks for the information conveyed, and requesting to be informed of
any additional particulars which may be learned in future.
Shaw, Savill & Company to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
Shaw Savill & Co.
Ship & Insurance Brokers
The Passengers Line of Packets,
for New Zealand, British Columbia &c,
Offices, 34 Leadenhall Street, E.C.
London
3d Feby 1859
The Right Honble The Earl of Carnarvon
Downing Street
Ship & Insurance Brokers
The Passengers Line of Packets,
for New Zealand, British Columbia &c,
Offices, 34 Leadenhall Street, E.C.
London
My Lord
Recollecting the interest which you took personally in the
despatch of the stores required for the expedition to British
Columbia, we regret greatly to inform your Lordship that by advices
received today we learn that the "Briseis" was burnt at sea off the
Coast of Brazil. This ship had on board about 400 Tons of
miscellaneous supplies. From the source whence the intelligence comes
we entertain no doubt of its authenticity.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Communicate to the Admiralty. Ack: rect with thanks for the attention of the writers in imparting this infn.
Communicate to the Admiralty. Ack: rect with thanks for the attention of the writers in imparting this infn.
The Briseis had no Engineers on board. Her Cargo consisted of
Iron houses, & hay, I believe. Perhaps spontaneous combustion may
have occasioned this disaster.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Carnarvon to Shaw, Savill and Company, 12 February 1859, expressing thanks for the information conveyed, and requesting to be
informed of any additional particulars which may be learned in future.