This film is part of Free
'Ville De Liege' Wrecked at Dover
Haunting images of a fresh shipwreck off the Dover coast
Overview
It was, some say, a maritime accident waiting to happen. The Belgian cross-channel steamer the Ville de Liege - known to be vulnerable to bad weather - went down off the Dover coast on 11 February 1929. The Gaumont Graphic newsreel's cameraman probably took these pictures a day or more later, but the semi-submerged ship makes a haunting image.
Fortunately, no lives were lost and there were just a few minor injuries. But the unfortunate passengers endured a gruelling two-and-half-hour wait in freezing conditions before help arrived, and most lost luggage and money. Warning: if you're at all prone to seasickness, some of these images - shot on a far from calm sea - may leave you feeling a bit queasy...
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