TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Friday May 9, 1997

Claonaig ferry sails to HMS Vandal war grave

The Claonaig to Lochranza ferry last weekend carried a memorial party to the spot where the sunken submarine HMS Vandal lies.

The ferry, which links Kintyre and Arran carried the party for head of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, Flag Officer Submarines, Rear Admiral James Perowne to lay a wreath at sea where submariners lost their lives more than 50 years ago.

HMS Vandal and her crew were lost in the murky waters off Arran in 1943 and was made a war grave after the stricken submarine was discovered three years ago by a Royal Navy minehunter.

A memorial cairn naming those who died was erected on Arran overlooking the spot where she now lies after sinking with all hands.

Also on Saturday, the memorial cairn was dedicated by Rear Admiral Perowne.

The circumstances of her sinking remained a mystery, however, one crew member did survive, 21-year-old stoker Larry Gaines, who would have sailed with her that day and had even stowed his gear on board, but was ill and had been placed sick ashore.

Mr Gaines, now 74, who attended the ceremony on Saturday, said: ‘She was originally named HMS Unbridled but her name was changed to Vandal before she first sailed.

‘Some of the lads told the captain it was a bad omen but it didn’t make any difference.’