Remembrance

[anteros_lmc]

While reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower the scenes describing the wreck of the Spanish ship on the Devil's Teeth at the end of "The Duchess and the Devil" forcibly reminded me of a naval tragedy suffered by the Western Isles in 1919. Clearly we're way off Age of Sail here, but this is a significant episode of naval history which is relatively

Comments

[esmerelda_t]

I dont recall ever hearing about this incident before, which is surprising given the scale.

Many islanders are also profoundly religious and see their ultimate fate as God's will.

Is this still the case? The last time my Dad and I were in Donegal, my grandparets were talking about how the local priest had 'the touch' and had brought a boy out of a coma. They, and most of the community, completely believe it. I was surprised their faith was so, well, literal.

[anteros_lmc]

Nobody's heard of it. It's tragic, just heart breaking.

Is this still the case?
I believe so. I wasn't brought up "in the church" but the influence of the Free Church still pervades Lewis, Harris and North Uist and people do take their faith very literally. And for many observance of the Sabbath is still absolute.

[esmerelda_t]

It's tragic, just heart breaking.

It must have been horrific for the people watching from the harbour.

And for many observance of the Sabbath is still absolute.

Ah, of course.

[anteros_lmc]

It must have been horrific for the people watching from the harbour.
You can't actually see the reef from Stornoway harbour but word would have reached the town almost immediately that the yacht had foundered. The reef is only about 20 yards from Holm point though but it was impossible to reach the wreck in the dark and the gale. In the morning one man was rescued from one of the masts where he'd clung all night but a further 3 died then the mast they had climbed snapped. Most of the bodies were washed ashore not far from town but many were never recovered. It hardly bears thinking about.

Ah, of course.
Never underestimate the influence of the Lords Day Observance Society!

[_likimeya]

That is really tragic. They survived a war and just when they were almost safely at home, fate strikes.

It was not uncommon for sailors to view learing to swim as tantamount to tempting fate.
One would think that a sailor who can't swim would seem like the ultimate temptation to fate. :p

[anteros_lmc]

It's just beyond bearing isn't it? Almost every family on the island lost someone in that wreck.

One would think that a sailor who can't swim would seem like the ultimate temptation to fate. :p
Yes indeed. It was still fairly common when I was a kid for islanders in general and sailors in particular not to know how to swim. It's a strange thing.