Displaying items by tag: Wreck Site

10th October 2018

RMS Leinster - Relatives Visit Site of Sinking 100 Years After Tragedy

On the centenary anniversary of the sinking of RMS Leinster, relatives from the disaster carried out wreath-laying ceremony at the wreck site off the Kish Bank this morning. AFLOAT adds the relatives where on board excursion vessel St. Bridget having departed Dun Laoghaire Harbour and escorted by LE Orla and local RNLI lifeboat Anna Livia. This afternoon a second boat trip will bring more relatives to the scene of the single-worst maritime tragedy on the Irish Sea.

#rmsLeinster - Today, relatives of those who were on RMS Leinster when it was sunk by a German submarine 100 years ago (during WWI) have visited the site of the sinking.

The mail boat writes The Irish Times was torpedoed by a German submarine, the UB-123, off the Kish Lighthouse on October 10th, 1918. More than 550 people were killed making it the worst maritime disaster on the Irish Sea.

It also had international implications. Following the sinking, the US President Woodrow Wilson refused to give a hearing to the German Government which was looking for an armistice. He cited the sinking of passenger ships as a reason for his refusal.

Relatives of those on board threw carnations and wreaths at the exact spot where the sinking took place near the Kish lighthouse which is 12 kilometres out to sea.

The boat (St.Bridget) bringing the relatives was escorted by the naval ship, the LE Orla and as Afloat adds the local lifeboat RNLB Anna Livia but no coastguard vessel.

For more on the centenary anniversary of the sinking click here including the Stena Line ferry as Afloat.ie reported yesterday. Originally in the planning of the centenary day, the ferry Stena Superfast X was to make a special diversion sail-past off Dun Laoghaire Harbour to coincide with the State ceremony ashore.

The Stena Superfast X, however, today during a routine crossing from Holyhead this morning paid a salute to the victims near the wreck site when entering Dublin Bay.

Published in Dublin Bay

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The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

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In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.