SS Ellan Vannin memorial to the 35 passengers & crew who lost their lives on 3rd December 1909 as Robert Quayle Chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd cast his wreath onto the waters _300
Passenger Amy Crix, died aged 18, with her 10-month-old unnamed baby, apparently coming home after a short but unhappy marriage. Her nephews Ernest Moore, of Ashton, Eddie Burgess, of Gateacre, and niece Eileen Judge, of West Derby, were onboard for the event.
“Amy’s death in the Ellan Vannin sinking was always a big family story,” said Mr Moore.
“Our father was so shocked by his sister’s death, he never ate anything out of the sea again.”
Before the remembrance service, folk singer Hughie Jones performed his haunting song The Tragedy of the Ellan Vannin, written in 1961.
John Curry, ex-Mersey pilot, representing the RNLI, said that conditions yesterday were potentially identical to those a century ago, with a west-north-west strong gale, rather than a hurricane.
Robert Quayle said: “This has been a moving occasion and the most important centenary event.
“Ellan Vannin is the only ship we have lost in peacetime and we hope it remains that way.”
Organiser Harry Edmondson, of Waterloo, said: “This was the least we could do for those who died.”
