The disaster referred to was described at the time as “a disaster occasioned by the most culpable carelessness.” It was, unfortunately, attended with frightful loss of life. The ORION, a splendidly fitted and powerful steamer, sailed from Liverpool for Glasgow, on Monday afternoon, 18th June, 1850, with about 170 passengers in addition to a crew of 40 all told. It was an ideal summer trip; the night was fine and clear, and the sea perfectly smooth. All went well with the steamer and those on board until, about a quarter past one on the Tuesday morning, the sleeping passengers were rudely awakened by the concussion, as the ship struck violently on the rocks, close to the Lighthouse at the entrance to Portpatrick Harbour. The vessel, which was steaming at full speed at the time, filled instantly, and sank in a few minutes. The night was so tranquil that many of the passengers had slept on deck, but the majority were asleep in the cabins below when the catastrophe occurred. The scene of horror and dismay which followed can be but faintly conceived. A wild rush of crew and passengers was made to the boats. The first boat lowered to the water was so crowded instantly with panic-stricken passengers, that she capsized, and all who were in her were drowned. A second boat was launched, in which some ladies were placed, and these reached the harbour safely. One redeeming feature in this tragic narrative is the splendid heroism displayed by many of the gentlemen passengers. The second boat when launched was in the first instance filled by men, but when the officers of the ship suggested to them that their first duty was to save the women and children, most of the men instantly left the boat, and assisted females to occupy the places they had surrendered, who were thus happily preserved. Shortly after this boat got away the ill-fated ORION sank, and all on board either went down with her, or were left floating on the surface of the water, or clinging to floating portions of the wreck.