The 100th anniversary of the wreck of the Ellan Vannin will be commemorated with a wreath laying ceremony at the site of the disaster. Public transport body Merseytravel has agreed to provide a ferry which will take dignitaries out to the site in the Mersey estuary on Thursday, December 3.
Chief Minister Tony Brown will represent the Isle of Man and will lay the wreath on behalf of the Manx government. Also aboard will be the man who wrote the well known song about the disaster.
The Steam Packet’s Ellan Vannin left Ramsey on December 3 1909 bound for Liverpool, but a huge wave overwhelmed her in rough weather. Five hours after she set out, she sank with the loss of 15 passengers and 21 crew in gale force eleven winds and 20 feet waves. A fund for victims’ relatives was set up and the Steam Packet donated £1,000 but the feeling behind the tragedy is revealed in the fact the company never again named a vessel Ellan Vannin.
Hughie Jones of the Spinners wrote the song about the Ellan Vannin, and will perform it live during the ceremony. Here are the words from the song.
Snaefell, Tynwald, Ben My Chree Fourteen ships had sailed the sea Proudly bearing a Manx name But there’s one will never again Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish SeaAt one a.m. in Ramsey bay Captain Teare was heard to say “Our contract said deliver the mail in this rough weather we must not fail” Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea
Ocean liners sheltered from the storm Ellan Vannin on the wave was borne Her hold was full and battened down As she sailed towards far Liverpool Town Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea
With a crew of twenty-one Manxmen Her passengers Liverpool businessmen Farewell Mona’s Isle farewell This little ship was bound for hell Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea
Less than a mile from the Bar lightship By a mighty wave Ellan Vannin was hit She sank in the waters of Liverpool Bay There she lies until this day Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea
Few Manxmen now remember The third day of the month December The terrible storm in Nineteen-nine Ellan Vannin sailed for the very last time Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea
