Príncipe de Asturias (ocean liner) significant event shipwrecking
Loss
Shortly before dawn on 5 March 1916, while trying to approach the port of Santos in dense fog, the ship ran aground on shoals about 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Ponta do Boi on the island of Ilhabela, opening a huge hole in her hull.
Water entered her boiler room, causing some of her boilers to explode, and she lost power. The ship listed to starboard and soon capsized. She sank in five minutes, killing at least 445 of the 588 people aboard.
Only one lifeboat was launched, initially carrying 20 people. At the dawn and in the morning the lifeboat recovered more than 100 people. The French cargo ship Vega rescued 143 people, including the swimmer Marina Vidal and the only Brazilian on board, José Martins Vianna.
Landmark event Key happening Pivotal occurrence Momentous incident Notable episode