At 9am on the morning of Friday the 31st of January 2003 the town of Larne paid its respects to those who lost their lives on the car ferry Princess Victoria 50 years ago on the 31st of January 1953.

Crowds gather to pay their respects at the Princess Victoria Memorial while the European Pioneer slips by to berth at Larne.

The service was held at the Princess Victoria Memorial on Chaine Memorial Road and led by Reverend Stephen Forde of St. Cedma's Church of Ireland in Larne.

The hymns Eternal Father, stong to save and O God our help in ages past were led by the Magheramourne Silver Band while the prayers were led by the Reverend Lynas, a retired minister from Gardenmore Presbyterian Church in Larne, who conducted the very first memorial service in 1953.

The cover of the order of service for the 50th anniversary memorial service of the Princess Victoria Disaster

Representatives from the Port of Larne, the RNLI, the Coastguard and Stena Line all attended the service.  There was also a good turn out of relatives of those who lost their lives as well as survivors and their friends and family.  

The mayor of Larne Bobby McKee unveiled new plaques at the Princess Victoria memorial.  The new plaques list every person who lost their life at sea on that fateful day 50 years ago.  

The two new plaques unveiled at the Princess Victoria Memorial in Larne

The unveiling was followed by a wreath laying ceremony in which representatives from the local government of Larne and Stranraer laid wreaths followed by all the various organisations present.  Finally, then members of the public laid their wreaths followed by bagpiper Drew McNally playing the Pipe Lament.

The wreaths laid at the Larne Princess Victoria Memorial in remembrance of those who lost their lives 50 years ago.

At the end of the service the main participants were bussed to the ferry terminal and then they embarked aboard the European Highlander.  At 1140am the European Highlander met up with lifeboats from Portpatrick, Donaghadee and Larne for a wreath laying ceremony off Corsewall Point.  The Larne representatives then continued on to Cairnryan where they met their Scottish counterparts for two ceremonies at the Stranraer Princess Victoria Memorial in Agnew Park followed by a church service at the Old Parish Church in Stranraer.

Links:

Larne Ferry Web Princess Victoria features:
Princess Victoria 50th Anniversary Remembered
Death in the North Channel

Photo Transport (Ray Ward) Princess Victoria feature

Irish Sea Shipping (John Luxton) Princess Victoria feature

The Loss of the Princess Victoria; A book by Jack Hunter published by Stranraer and District History Trust

Colourpoint Books: Death in the North Channel

Updated: 14/02/05

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