Video: 65 years on, town pays tribute to victims of ferry disaster

A poignant service was held on the shores of Larne this morning to mark the 65th anniversary of what has been called 'a generation's Titanic'.

A large crowd gathered near Larne Harbour at 11am to remember the 133 lives lost on January 31, 1953, when the ferry Princess Victoria sank during a ferocious storm.

The ship, one of the first roll-on roll-off ferries, had been heading for Larne from the Scottish port of Stranraer when it was damaged by pounding waves, took on water and went down close to the Copeland Islands off the coast of Co Down.

Only 44 of the 177 people on board escaped with their lives; not a single woman or child survived.

The disaster had a huge impact on the Larne community, with 27 of the victims from the town.

Also lost were the Northern Ireland Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Major J M Sinclair, and Sir Walter Smiles, the Ulster Unionist MP for North Down.

This morning's ceremony included the unveiling and dedication of a new plaque featuring the names of two men, Gordon Wright and Thomas Saunders, who lost their lives in the disaster but had not been included on the original memorial.

Local ministers gave readings, while pupils from Larne Grammar School and Larne High School sang a hymn.

A number of wreaths were laid at the memorial by various groups, including relatives of the passengers and crew; Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Paul Reid; Lord Lieutenant for Co Antrim, Joan Christie, and branches of the RAOB.

Representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Association (RNLI) were also among the special guests.

Larne woman Dora Ogilby's father, Samuel McReynolds, was one of those who perished in the disaster. "I was only four and a half, but I do have memories of it happening. It stays with you," Dora said.

"My father was 37 and a father of eight; he worked for Harland and Wolff at the time and was on his way back from doing a job in Scotland."

Samuel's body was eventually recovered and he was buried in his home town of Carrickfergus, at Victoria Cemetery.

Patricia Kerr Irons, who lives in Carrick, attends the service every year in memory of her uncle Wesley Kerr.

A crew member on the Princess Victoria, Wesley was only 24 years old when he died.