Photo: liverpoolships.org
On Jan. 25, 1953, fire destroyed the ocean liner Empress of Canada at Gladstone Dock in Liverpool during an annual overhaul.
Firemen said they were fighting a losing battle and withdrew as the doomed ship's steel plates bulged and "rivets flew like bullets."
According to an Australian Associated Press dispatch from Liverpool:
According to an Australian Associated Press dispatch from Liverpool:
"During the last half-hour before she heeled over the vessel listed rapidly to over 30 degrees.
"Parts of the superstructure and funnels hit the three-story concrete dock shed and there were resounding crashes from the burnt out interior of the liner.
"The liner slid quickly on to her side and smoke billowed high into the air as the red hot hull hit the water."
"Parts of the superstructure and funnels hit the three-story concrete dock shed and there were resounding crashes from the burnt out interior of the liner.
"The liner slid quickly on to her side and smoke billowed high into the air as the red hot hull hit the water."
