Princess Alice, formerly PS Bute built in 1865, was a passenger paddle steamer, owned by the London Steamboat Co.
On 3rd September, 1878, the Princess Alice left Gravesend for London with 900 people. Princess Alice collided with the collier Bywell Castle on the River Thames and broke into two. The bow part of the Princess Alice sank immediately.
Bywell Castle dropped anchor, but was far away from Princess Alice, greatly retarding the work of rescue with lifeboats. Fortunately, the Duke of Teck arrived and could save some people. The number lost is assumed to be 650 persons. Those saved numbered a little over 200.
Source: Wikipedia
