The loss of six men who lost their lives at sea on March 7 1956 in what has become known as the Ramsey Bay disaster is to be marked by the unveiling of a memorial plaque alongside Ramsey harbour.
The unveiling ceremony will be performed by some of the relatives of those who lost their lives and will take place at the junction of East Quay and West Quay on Wednesday, March 7 at 11am.
In the afternoon of Wednesday, March 7 1956 seven crew members of the Fleetwood trawler Fleetwood Lady, anchored in Ramsey Bay, left for shore in the trawler’s boat to allow three of the men to visit relatives in Ramsey. At around 7pm four returned to the trawler, leaving the remaining three to return later. At approximately 10.30pm that night a rowing boat with six men returning from Ramsey harbour to the trawler capsized, resulting in the death of all six. Eric Lyall and his son Eric James Lyall died, along with Allan Bradford, Reginald Wright, Albert (Abby) Cottier and Arnold Brew.
Three of the men had links with the Ramsey lifeboat: Mr Cottier was an assistant motor mechanic, Mr Lyall senior assisted the crew and Mr Brew frequently acted as launcher.
The unveiling ceremony will be followed by a short prayer, after which those attending are invited to Ramsey town hall for refreshments and an opportunity to meet the relatives.
-ENDS-
