Sinking of The Emigrant Ship "Austria" | Josef Püttner | 1858

The sinking of the emigrant ship Austria on 13 September 1858 stands as one of the most tragic maritime disasters of the nineteenth century. The Austria, an Austrian Lloyd steamship bound from Hamburg to New York with over 500 emigrants on board, caught fire in the mid-Atlantic after a crew member accidentally ignited varnish while fumigating the steerage with an open flame. Within minutes, the ship was engulfed in flames, forcing passengers and crew into the turbulent sea. Of the approximately 538 people aboard, only 89 survived, rescued by passing vessels such as the Moses Taylor and the Maury. The catastrophe shocked Europe and America alike, prompting widespread mourning and renewed scrutiny of maritime safety practices. It remains a somber reminder of the peril faced by emigrants seeking new lives across the Atlantic in the age of steam.

Print: 

A premium quality heavyweight (200gsm) fine art print material with a smooth, clean finish. This museum quality paper is extremely consistent and works perfectly with large, full colour graphics or illustrations. The matte finish emphasises different highlights and tones in the source artworks; helping to create stunning works of art.

- All prints feature a 0.25 inch white border to ensure space for framing. 

Our Eco Credentials Include:

• FSC approved or sustainably sourced paper
• Printed using water based inks
• Local fulfilment reduces carbon emissions
• Contains no plastic

Sizes: 

16’’ x 12’’ Inches = 40.6 cm x 30.5 cm 

24" x 18" Inches = 61 cm x 45.7 cm