The Brunswick was only two years old when she sank, and was one of the best equipped on the Liverpool line.

As she departed the Northern port the weather conditions were fine, but as the steel screw steamer approached Black Nore Point, Portishead, thick fog enveloped her.

The ship ran aground on a sandbank and keeled over, and quickly filled with sand and water.

Eight men who were on the deck at the time managed to escape in a lifeboat but were unable to save their colleagues below.

A report written by one of the sailors reveals the moment tragedy struck.

It said: "It all happened so quickly that there was no chance of doing anything for the poor fellows below.

"The ship was right on her beam ends, and you could stand upright on her side.

"In fact, I walked along her side to get into the little boat, and we caught hold the top end of the mainstay to hold the small boat in position to look around for those who were missing.

"We all had to put our heads under the mainstay to get away, and it took us all our time to get the boat clear.