Whilst lying at anchor off Dungeness, at 10.30pm. the Spanish steamship MURILLO, 300 tons, Captain Berrute, collided at speed with the anchored vessel, despite the NORTHFLEET showing bright lights and the weather being clear. On board the sailing ship were a total of 379 persons, most of the passengers being railway workers going out to construct the Tasmanian railway, many accompanied by their families. The NORTHFLEET was struck amidships and cut to the waterline whilst most of her passengers were asleep below decks. The MURILLO made off without stopping, and with no name painted on her hull identification at the time was impossible. Only a tug and two small sailing vessels went to her aid, althought the clipper CORONA lay at anchor only 300 yards away, the only man on watch having fallen asleep. The drowned included the captain. The MURILLO was arrested 8 months later off Dover, and as a result all ships had to carry their name painted on both bow an stern. Year Built: 1853 Builder: Pitcher and Co. Owner: John Patton Jnr. Master: Knowles Date of Loss Qualifier: A Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index. Board of Trade Wreck Return 1865-74 Romney Marsh Summary p3; DOD.1990 Ed. p514; Lloyds Register 1872-3 No.209(N)

<1> United Kingdom shipwreck index, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6340.