Portrait of Captain Rankin of S.S. Victoria (2 Copies)
Date1881
MediumInk
Credit LineGift of Mr. Ken McTaggart, 1978
Object number1978.010.023
Label TextIn the afternoon of May 24, 1881 (Victoria Day), the Thames River was bustling with riverboats and crowds of passengers. Captain Donald Rankin was operating the S.S. Victoria. Due to issues with two other vessels on the water, the Victoria was made responsible for transporting extra passengers. Despite attempting to tell crowds waiting that the vessel was past capacity, Rankin and his crew prepared to return to the London port. Overcrowding, rocking and the vessel taking on water lead to the Victoria capsizing. It listed, tipping and taking on more water, and the boiler rolled off its mount. Falling debris crushed some. Others drowned. Approximately 200 passengers died, most women and children.
A coroner’s inquest held Captain Rankin and George Parish, the Victoria's engineer, responsible for the wreck. Both were found guilty of neglecting to inspect the vessel before departing that day. Arrested on manslaughter charges, the men were tried before the Middlesex Grand Jury. On September 22, 1881, the jury's verdict was handed down, a refusal to indict the men on the charges. Both were released.
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