No one, least of all Captain James Teare, could have known what was about to occur. The Ellan Vannin had an excellent pedigree and experienced helmsmen.

Through the spray, the reassuring light cast from the bar lightship may have offered the master a glimmer of hope that journey's end was near.

Tragically, the voyage was about to come to a climax that would prevent the little steamer from ever reaching port.

The tidal surge of the Mersey combined with 'a gale raging like a wild cat' to build such mountainous seas that they literally swallowed the vessel up, her wooden frame splitting into two pieces before plummeting below – neither crew nor passengers stood a chance.

This Thursday, 36 red roses, one for each lost life, will be cast into the River Mersey at 10.30am in a special ceremony attended by Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK in commemoration of the centenary of the foundering of a ship affectionally nicknamed 'Lil Daisy'.

The first wreath will be cast by Mr Brown in respect of those who lost their lives, but also on behalf of a seafaring nation both physically and emotionally rocked by the event.

The wider implication for the Manx community was devastating for, as historian Charles Guard explained: 'Fifty-eight children were left without either one or two parents.'

The Ellan Vannin was not a large ship by standards at the time – 375 tonnes – but she was well-maintained and hardy, although nearly 50-years-old, having been converted to a screw propellor-driven vessel from a paddle steamer built in 1860.

Richard Stafford's account in his book The Ellan Vannin Story, published by Manx Heritage Foundation, describes an occasion 'when a score of ocean going liners were sheltering in Ramsey Bay, the little Ellan Vannin threaded her way between them for a roundtrip to Whitehaven, being heralded by them upon her return by the craft in the bay still awaiting better weather, sounding their whistles'.

A. W. Moore, a former speaker of the House of Keys, described the vessel in commercial terms as 'one of the most profitable boats in the company's history', backed up by the general manager of the Steam Packet who wrote 'The Ellan Vannin made over £2,000 per annum for the company'.

----------

>> YouTube: Ellan Vannin, by The Spinners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6v2jRqjHzg

----------

Manx sailors held her in such high regard she was known as 'the finest vessel of her size ever built'.

By all reports, James Teare was not a foolhardy man. Eighteen years a sailor – having risen up the ranks to become 'one of the most cautious and capable of the Steam Packet captains' – he had the benefit of the best available sources of information.

Firstly, there was the barometer on the Custom House Quay and secondly the telegraph report at the Coastguard's office.

Newspaper reports from the time reported that when a company's agent advised the captain 'it was going to be a dirty night', his reply was 'as the wind was aft they'd have a good passage'.

Subsequently, The Board of Trade inquiry accepted that there was nothing in the weather to indicate it was unreasonable to leave Ramsey and there was no criticism of his decision to sail.

Anecdotally, Hughie Jones of Liverpool folk band The Spinners described the captain's thoughts in his lyrics to the song The Ellan Vannin Tragedy: 'Our contract says deliver the mail, in this rough weather we must not fail.'

As well as his crew, passengers and the mail, there were 60 tonnes of cargo being carried.

After a week or two in which many will have felt the impact of severe storms, it is worth standing back a bit and reflecting on the uncertainty of putting to sea, even with modern fleet vessels like the Ben-my-Chree.

To put things into perspective, dramatic images taken last week by Isle of Man Newspapers photographer Mike Proudfoot showed the Ben setting forth into Douglas Bay, braving storm force seas with recorded gusts of 59mph.

However, reports from the Bidson Observatory at 4.35am on the December 3, 1909, indicate a wind speed of 81mph, or force 12 on the Beaufort scale – in other words, a hurricane.

The 21 crewmen on board on that cold and dark night included three members qualified to take command of the vessel. Because of the ferocity of the weather, some estimates describe how up to five men would have been required to hold the wheel in order to steer a course.

Despite their brave efforts, 'waves of 25ft or more' overcame her at about 6.45am and the Ellan Vannin's clock was later discovered to have stopped at 6.50am.

The next day, she was found in two pieces, lying in 30ft of water. The lifeboats had been launched and only three bodies were found, giving false hope to the families of those who had been onboard.

A flurry of telegrams between Ramsey and Liverpool sought clarification on the numbers lost, but as, one by one, empty lifeboats were discovered washed up, a terrible gloom descended upon East Quay.

Charles Guard explains the follow-up to the search for survivors: 'Enquiries were made all around Britain to the tragic end that people's hopes were again dashed. It gradually became apparent what happened on that dreadful night and that everyone had been drowned'.

Richard Stafford, in The Ellan Vannin Story, recounts: 'Pathetic and unparalleled scenes were witnessed in Ramsey as the worst fears were realised. The Courier's offices were surrounded by anxious people and copies of the special edition were snatched from the printing presses.

'Women who had lost their husbands, children their fathers and others who had lost their friends and relatives were devastated – many remained up late into Saturday night weeping and mourning'.

According to records, a huge effort was made by the Manx people and many sympathetic nations, from as far afield as the Transvaal in southern Africa, in the establishment of the Ellan Vannin fund to support the families of victims.

Many concerts and recitals were staged, one of the largest being in the Gaiety Theatre – more details of this can be found in Terry Cringle's Times Past feature on page 22 of this week's Examiner.

Cake sales, donations and whist drives all threw their weight behind the effort – indeed, it was difficult to find any section of Island society which did not contribute to the huge total of £35,209 2s 0d raised.

Whilst money could never replace the sense of loss felt across the Island, it was of great assistance to a great many Manx families, the last beneficiary being Annie Benson, who was only 20 at the time, but who lived to 85 before dying in 1974.

Further commemorations of the Ellan Vannin tragedy will be taking place in the Island this week, and the Isle of Man Post Office has issued a presentation pack of its commemorative stamps of the tragedy based on artwork by Peter Hearsey.

A memorial service organised by Ramsey Commissioners and The Manx Heritage Foundation will be held at East Quay, Ramsey, at 4pm on Thursday.

In addition, a special ecumenical centenary commemoration service will be led by the Mariners' Choir to take place at the Trinity Methodist Church, Douglas, on Sunday at 6.30pm.

Three Cleveland soloists will perform at the event, which will be attended by Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks and Members of the House of Keys.

On the next Isle of Man Steam Packet sailing following this event, a wreath dedicated at this service will be cast into the sea at the site of the wreck of the Ellan Vannin by the Mersey Bar.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

My father was Edward Burke of Leeds, his father before him was also named Edward Burke as was his father, after our relative who perished on board the Ellan Vannin. We have tried many times to find out if there are any other relatives contected with the Ellen Vannin and who also had a Liverpool connection. My father Eward Burke always said that he had a relation who perished on board, but his information was very sketchy, but my Grandather had a picture of the Ellan Vannin on his living room wall, and a number of co-incidences occur. My Great Grandfather was a cook on board a ship and also my Father was a cook. We would dearly love to be able to connect a family tree. And although I cannot be there in person to pay tribute, I will be thinking of all who attend. I also have two Grandchildren who live on the Isle-of-Man who also are direct descendants.
PATRICIA MILES (nee) BURKE

Even the most modern vessels get turned over the most recent the Riverdance off Blackpool. The coastline along to Southport is littered with wrecks it is somehow fitting on the centinery of The SS ELLAN VANNINS loss that the weather has turned and is blowing replicating the conditions At the service this morning !
JOHN H.