Today, 146 years have passed since the sinking of the British steamer Soudan in Funchal bay, in front of “Praça da Rainha” (now “Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses”).
The ship,was built just 5 years before this disaster, it belonged to the African Steam Ship Company and was at the service of the African Royal Mail Company. He had left Liverpool, heading for the West Coast of Africa, with 45 crew members, 1 passenger, correspondence and various goods, having arrived to Madeira at 6 pm, on that February 2, 1875. The Soudan was anchored at “Forte São José”, where he waited for 3 hours for the collection of correspondence from Madeira. As he did not receive an answer from the Harbour Captain, even after insistent signals by firearm, the captain of the steamship decided to leave for Gran Canaria, where he would leave the correspondence, to be later delivered by another vessel. When loosening the moorings, the steam engines failed and, although the sea was calm, the Soudan was at the mercy of strong winds that was felt from the Southwest, which pushed it to the beach, where it came aground. The entire crew disembarked safe and sound, as well as the passenger and the courier. Given the irreparability of the ship, it was dismantled and sold in Madeira for 6,666 sterling pounds.

Credits: Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente's.

ALOÍSIO CÉSAR DE BETTENCOURT
English steam "Soudan" stranded in the bay of the city of Funchal | February 1875
12.6 x 18.7 cm | Simple negative, glass | Collodion
MFM-AV, Inv. ACB/9
On deposit at ABM