Hugh Smith’s letter from Islay
Loss of ship
THE LOSS of the troopships Tuscania and Otranto off Islay’s shores in the closing months of the First World War had a devastating effect on the island community.
Equally devastating was the loss of the emigrant ship Exmouth off the island’s northwest coast on April 28 1847 and the resultant high death toll.
This was undoubtedly the worst peacetime maritime disaster the island has experienced.
The brig, with 11 crew members under the command of Captain Isaac Booth, had set off from Londonderry on April 25 and was heading for Quebec.
It is believed the number of passengers carried exceeded 240, although the exact figure is unknown.
These were mostly women and children who had planned to join husbands, parents and other family members who had previously travelled to Canada to escape the Irish potato famine.
Shortly after leaving port, weather conditions deteriorated with winds reaching gale force. These caused extensive damage to the sails and rigging.
Captain Booth was hopeful of reaching land where repairs could be carried out but, truth to tell, he was unsure of his position. He mistook the light of the Rhinns of Islay lighthouse as that of Tory Island, off the north-west coast of Donegal.
By now the brig was completely lost and at the mercy of the elements. She also suffered further extensive structural damage before she was hurled onto the rocks on Gille Mhore on Islay’s Sanaig coast.
Only three of the crew survived and they managed to clamber over the rocks and head to the nearby Sanaigmore farmhouse.
Mr White, the Sanaig farmer, raised the alarm which brought a response from other farmers and farm workers in Kilchoman who began the rescue operations.
Sadly, only 108 bodies were recovered and they were buried under a green sward overlooking the site of the disaster and named An Traigh Bhàn (The Fair Strand). A small memorial marks the burial site.
In 2000, a more elaborate memorial to those who died was erected at the main entrance to An Traigh Bhàn. It was financed by the Ireland Fund of Great Britain and unveiled by Daniel Mulhall, the then Irish Consul General.
The inscription reads: ‘This memorial is dedicated to the memory of the 241 Irish emigrants who lost their lives on April 28 1847 when the brig The Exmouth of Newcastle out of Derry and bound for Quebec Canada at the time of the great famine, was wrecked on the north-west coast of Islay. 108 bodies, mostly women and children (63 under 14, and nine infants) were recovered and are buried under the soft green turf of Traigh Bhàn. May their souls rest forever in the peace of Christ.’
Film success
PUPILS from the island high school’s group ‘Ìle Bheò are to be warmly congratulated on their success in the MG Alba FilmG Gaelic short film competition.
Their film A’ Bhean Eudach took top place in the Gaelic learners’ section, repeating the success they enjoyed in the same section last year. The youngsters received their award at a glittering ceremony, which also marked FilmG’s tenth anniversary, in Glasgow’s Old Fruit Market on February 9.
The script was based on an old Gaelic song of the same name and features jealousy and betrayal. A touch of homicide adds to the intrigue and mystery!
Exterior filming took place in far from ideal weather conditions and acting their socks of were Maggie and Morven Brown, Elinor Baker, Isobel Ferguson, Lewis Davey and Ryan Johnston.
Look out Hollywood. The Ilich are on their way!
Bread and wine
MORNING worship at Bowmore’s Round Church at 10am on Sunday February 25, will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
It will be conducted by the Rev Anne McIvor, a former parish minister who has been providing locum coverage in the vacant charges for the past five weeks.
Everyone is warmly invited to this and all the services at the Round Church.
Hugh Smith, 4 Flora Street, Bowmore, Islay PA43 7JX. Tel: 01496 810658