Portrait of "Commodore" Thomas Wastie
MediumEmulsion
Credit LineGift of Mr. Ken McTaggart, 1978
Object number1978.010.019
Label TextThis is a portrait of the Chief Engineer of the City of London's Fire Department in 1881. His name was "Commodore" Thomas Wastie. He had been the captain of the London and Waterworks Line ferry 'Enterprise' before it caught fire and sank. He raised it from waters and had the hull repaired and expanded. It would end up being reused for the company's next vessel, the S.S. Victoria. Wastie transferred ownership of the vessel to the Thames Navigation Company shortly before the 1881 disaster. The Victoria capsized on the Thames River near present-day Greenway Park on Victoria Day (May 24), 1881. The overcrowded steamer was on its way back downtown from Springbank Park. Something caused the passengers to rush to one side of the vessel. It listed and then the boiler rolled off its mount. Falling debris crushed some. Others drowned. Approximately 200 passengers died, most women and children.
NamePrint, Photographic
