Shipping disaster memorial unveiled
A NEW memorial has been unveiled to remember 42 people who died in a shipping disaster off the coast of Gourock more than 200 years ago.
In August 1822, a tragic incident occurred on the Clyde close to Cloch Lighthouse.
A sailing sloop, the Mary of Iona, en route from Mull to Greenock was struck by a steam tug, Hercules.
The sloop was sunk with the loss of 42 lives and only four survivors.
The passengers on the Mary of Iona were mainly island women who were travelling to Greenock in the hope of securing harvesting work.
The incident, which had tragic repercussions on Mull and Iona where many children were left as orphans, became known as "The Drowning of the Harvesters".
The victims of this terrible incident were laid to rest in the Chapel Street Cemetery in Gourock but due to lack of funding at the time no headstones or memorials were ever put in place.
Thanks to the efforts of Inverclyde resident David Carnduff, Inverclyde Council has installed a new memorial in the cemetery to remember the disaster and those who perished 202 years ago.
The project was supported the Gourock Town Centre Regeneration Forum and the memorial stone was kindly donated by Fraser Downie of Stokes Memorials.
A service was held on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at the Chapel Street Cemetery to unveil the memorial stone and pay tribute to the victims, conducted by Reverend David Burt of Old Gourock and Ashton Church.
Provost Drew McKenzie said: “As a coastal community with a long maritime heritage, we are sadly only too familiar with shipping disasters, but this is one that is perhaps forgotten about, particularly due to the absence of a memorial.
“It was an honour for me on behalf of the people of Inverclyde to help unveil this new commemorative stone to remember the victims of this tragedy off the coast of Gourock more than 200 years ago.
“Thanks must go to Inverclyde resident David Carnduff for raising awareness of this tragedy and for working alongside a variety of partners to ensure a fitting memorial is now in place to honour the people who perished in this disaster.”
On the 200th anniversary of the tragedy - in August 2022 - a memorial service was held on Mull and an information display compiled by island resident Tom Aitchison was put on show in the Ross of Mull Historical Centre at Bunessan.
Regret was expressed at the memorial service that no memorials mark where their ancestors were laid to rest.
Mr Carnduff said: “This, plus the fact that no prosecutions came from the tragedy, was seen as a double injustice on Mull.
“I saw the display while on a visit to Mull that year and subsequently contacted Inverclyde Council with the suggestion that the council arrange for a memorial to be erected in the graveyard and that was done in conjunction with Gourock Town Centre Regeneration Forum.
“My thanks to the council and to the forum for considering the request and for ultimately getting us to where we are today with a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in this awful disaster.”
At the dedication service, pupils from Whinhill Primary Gaelic Choir and Gourock Primary Choir both sang, and a piper played a lament.
Names of the 42 who died in the tragedy were also read out.
Councillor Lynne Quinn, chair of the Gourock Town Centre Regeneration Forum, said: “I would like to highlight the generosity and kindness of the Gourock townsfolk at the time of the tragedy.
“Seafarers who helped with that rescue of the victims and those who established a fund to help with aid during the rescue mission.
“Also, the town’s high level of attendance at the funeral and ensuring the victims were 'decently interred' at the Chapel Street Burial Ground.
“It is great that we are continuing this kindness and respect 200 years on.”
The memorial was donated by Fraser Downie from Stokes Memorials and the ground works carried out by Inverclyde Council’s grounds service.
