Extract from the January 1959 issue of Sea Breezes:
The Ashton drew undesirable publicity in Decemebr 1908, towards the end of her career, when five Russian emigrants died on board as a result of inhaling fumes from a parcel of ferro-silicon stowed in barrels in the forehold below their accommodation. One of the passengers had seen the emigrants "rolling about the floor of the cabin" calling for water and had thought they were seasick. At the inquest it was stated that the company's rule against carrying ferro-silicon had been broken for the first time on this occasion owing to assurances by the German manufacturers "of the highest standing", that the new process of manufacture had eliminated dangerous characteristics.".
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Hartlepool Sports & Leisure
Brief notes - Ashton
