CHIEF Minister Tony Brown MHK has spoken of his pride in attending the special ceremony in Dunkirk to commemorate the role of Manx ships and seafarers in the evacuation 70 years ago.

Mr Brown was present with other guests from the Island for the raising from the sea of the anchor from the ‘Mona’s Queen III’, the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel sunk by a German mine on May 29th, 1940, with the loss of 24 crew.

The Chief Minister presented the Mayor of Dunkirk with a specially engraved plate expressing the thanks of the government and people of the Island for the recovery of the anchor.

‘Mona’s Queen’ was one of eight Steam Packet ships which together rescued 25,000 allied troops from Dunkirk. Four were lost in the Evacuation, the others being the ‘Fenella’, the ‘King Orry’ and the ‘Tynwald’.

“It was a great privilege to represent the Isle of Man Government at this special ceremony,” said the Chief Minister. “It was extremely moving when the anchor of the Mona’s Queen was raised from the waters 70 years after the vessel was lost.

“This was a sad occasion but also a proud one, recognising the significant part played by Manx ships and their crews during a pivotal episode of the Second World War. One in 14 of the Allied troops rescued from Dunkirk was saved by a Steam Packet boat, and that is a fact that should never be forgotten.”

With the Chief Minister in Dunkirk were Hamish Ross, former managing director of the Steam Packet Company, and current representatives of the company including Captain Kane Taha and David Findlay.

The Chief Minister attended the official memorial ceremony headed by Prince Michael of Kent, , along with other international guests.  At the official lunch on the French Naval vessel BCR Marne Mr Brown was presented by the Mayor of Dunkirk with a plaque, and in turn presented the Mayor with a specially engraved glass plate to mark the occasion, expressing thanks to the French authorities for all their assistance.

The Chief Minister was then presented by the First Sea Lord of the French navy with a personal gift, a specially engraved medallion to mark the visit.

He also met with the captain of the barge that recovered the anchor and the French diving team who located and helped to retrieve it.