The steamship, SS Thames, was built in 1827 by Fletcher's in Limehouse, London, and belonged to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.

She was commanded by Captain James Grey and wrecked on the Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly early on the morning of 4 January 1841 on her way from Dublin to London.

A boat crew from St Agnes set off as soon as the wreck was discovered by locals and rescued the three women.

A fourth woman who survived the initial sinking refused to leave with rescuers because she could not find her child.

Ten bodies were found, including that of the woman who refused to leave her child.