Richard, thank you for pointing me towards these two additional sources of information. I have already been over the Board of Trade Inquiry Report.

Also, this morning, my copy of "Adventures of an Obscure Victorian" arrived through the Post. c/o ABE Books!

"The ship was well found" appears to have been stated by several of the (shipowners) witnesses at the Inquest held in IoM.

However, by this "Adventures .." account of the ship state, only the year before she foundered, she would appear to have been far from "well found". If indeed it was the SS Abydos he was referring to in the book?

Of course, we shall never know. But the story is intriguing and I could envisage the Inquiry being broadened and more evidence sought if the same thing were to happen today. (I hope?!)

Thanks Again,

Tony Gaynor (One of Captain Martin's GGS's)