Shipwrecks of the British Isles

On September 11, the 40 meter long, 300 tonne passenger ship Erasmus caught fire on the Thames near Canary Wharf, London. The Erasmus was on an afternoon cruise with 142 passengers when a small fire ignited in the vessel’s engine room. With smoke billowing from the stern, the Erasmus steamed towards riverbank.  Instead of slowing near the pier at Canary Wharf, the Erasmus careened into the embankment and scraped against the side of the pier.  Local authorities were alerted and the local fire brigade were able to extinguish the blaze. No reports of injuries. All 142 passengers and 6 crew were evacuated to nearby vessels.