#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.