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Valerie Cottle and her new book “Thomas Cubbin, Master Mariner, and the wreck of the Serica.”

Valerie Cottle was drawn to the story of the Seneca by a sad memorial for two young boys on the wall of Old Kirk Braddan Church. At an event in the old church building (American readers will thrill to hear that the last serious work — the tower — was completed in 1777) she outlined the sad story of Thomas Cubbin, his wife and two of their many children who were all  involved in a fated 1868 voyage that ended on the coast of Madagascar. The boys died in each other’s arms. Valerie retraces the events that led to that moment and the arduous journey back to civilization for the distraught parents.

The book launch included music and hymns as well as an introduction to the work of The Friends of Old Kirk Braddan by Frank Cowin. As befits a book launch in a church, tea and superb cakes were served afterwards.

ISBN 978-0956206497. Published by Manx Heritage Foundation.

Available from the Lexicon and Manx National Heritage:

Thomas Cubbin, Master Mariner and the Wreck of the Serica Author: Valerie Cottle Pages: 135 Size 26cm x 21cm Paperback £14.00 In December 1867 Captain Thomas Cubbin, a master mariner from the Isle of Man, set out from Liverpool in the barque Serica, bound for Aden with a cargo of coal. With him on board were his wife Mary, their two yong sons, and a crew of fourteen men and boys. In the Indian Ocean three months later the Serica encountered one of the most terrifying hurricanes ever recorded. What follows is a story of tragedy, adventure and extraordinary courage.