One of a pair of paintings, showing the East Indiaman ‘Kent’ catching fire on 1 March 1825, see also BHC2272. The East Indiaman 'Kent' was owned by Stewart Marjoribanks and came into service with the East India Company in 1820. The 1,332 ton vessel undertook two voyages for the Company to Bengal, Bombay and China before 1825 when disaster struck. Captained by Henry Cobb, the 'Kent' sailed from the Downs on 19 February 1825 for a third voyage to Bengal and China. However, on 1 March 1825 in the Bay of Biscay following two days of storms the ship caught fire, reportedly from an accident with a naked light by malefactors trying to steal liquor from her hold. The 'Kent' was carrying some 700 people, mainly soldiers of the 31st regiment and their families, when fire broke out in the afterhold. For a description of the rescue effort see entry for BHC2272.

The National Maritime Museum holds a further painting, see BHC3819, and a group of manuscript records related to the sinking of the Kent, MCG/1-7. The painting is signed and dated 1826.