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Victims of HMS

A
Birkenhead remembered

memorial has been unveiled in Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna striking memorial on Merseyside for

Birkenhead (Wirral, Liverpool Muirhead. They laid commemorative future generations.
City Region, UK) dedicated to
“It is important that our apprentices wreaths as did representatives of the

the victims of one of the worst maritime understand the long history of Cammell Armed Forces. Pebbles from Gansbaai
disasters of the 19th century.
Laird and what happened to many of the beach, where survivors swam ashore,

ships built here, some of which, like HMS HMS Birkenhead, a steam frigate built surround the memorial.
Birkenhead, became very famous for what by John Laird’s shipbuilders in The memorial was designed through

they did or what happened to them. This Birkenhead, sank off the coast of a competition organised and judged by
memorial helps ensure even after more Gansbaai, South Africa on 26th February, Cammell Laird shipyard, Andy Liston

than 160 years that the heroism and 1852. Out of 638 people onboard, only of New Brighton Lifeboat Station and
courage of the men that day is not 193 survived. Many victims were taken by Wirral Council. The winning design was

forgotten.”
sharks. The tragedy was the first occasion submitted by Jemma Twigg of

when troops were ordered to ‘stand fast’ Birkenhead Sixth Form College.
The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Dave
and the protocol of ‘women and children Mitchell said: “This memorial is The memorial was then created by

first’ was used. As a result, all women and dedicated to those who lost their lives off Cammell Laird’s apprentices with
children aboard the vessel survived. The the coast of South Africa 162 years ago. I materials donated and costs met by

action became famous as the ‘Birkenhead am particularly honoured to be able to Cammell Laird.
Drill’ throughout the British Empire, welcome our Armed Forces to remember Cammell Laird Chief Executive

capturing a spirit of Britishness, and was this event, and to bring together the John Syvret CBE said the company was
used when RMS Titantic sank in 1912. people of Wirral and South Africa in a immensely proud to build the memorial:

The phrase was also used by Rudyard spirit of friendship and solidarity.
“This is a very powerful initiative that
Kipling in his poem A Soldier An’ the company immediately wanted to “The memorial will take its place

Sailor Too, which was read at the support given our connection to HMS alongside Wirral’s other important
memorial service.
Birkenhead. It is very fitting that the tragic monuments to the fallen, including those

The memorial was unveiled on story of the ship, and the origins of at Hamilton Square and Woodside

Woodside Promenade by the Mayor of ‘women and children’ first, should be Promenade along with the wider Wirral
Wirral Cllr Dave Mitchell and the Lord-
remembered in the form of such a
community.”

I

48 The SHIP Supplier Issue 60 2014