There are plans to mark the 200th anniversary of the HMS Racehorse tragedy.

A voluntary group of residents formed in Castletown plans to commemorate the ship which wrecked by Langness in 1822.

It comes after another Castletown resident, Fenella Collister, called for the tragedy to be marked in some way after finding out about the wreck recently.

Nine people died, three of whom were men from Castletown who attempted to save the lives of those on the ship, when the captain mistook the light from Langness Lighthouse for Douglas bay.

Former Chief Minister Tony Brown, chairman of the group, explained why this historical event should be marked.

He said: ’This is an important part of our Manx history, as well as British Naval history, which we believe is long overdue for recognition.

’The tragedy had a considerable impact on the small town of Castletown and yet there is no memorial to mark this historic tragedy.

’The group are aware that very few people in the island are aware of the events surrounding the loss of HMS Racehorse, including the loss of life sustained, and the significance of the event.’

Plans to commemorate the lives lost include an event to be held December 14, 2022, which will mark 200 years to the day since the tragedy, a memorial plaque in the area of The Quay, and an exhibition.

Mr Brown said: ’We propose to hold an exhibition to hopefully display some of the artefacts recovered from the wreck in the 1980s along with information to commemorate the loss of HMS Racehorse and the bravery of the Castletown men who saved many lives.

’We haven’t progressed to liaise with other people, because we’re still formulating everything.’

Mr Brown first heard about the shipwreck in the early 1980s.

He said: ’When I was MHK for Castletown, I got to know about it through one of the divers.

’She used to come and see me to let me know about it and show me different artefacts and photographs, and just like anyone else, I wasn’t aware of it.

’It was a strange one really because it was actually an interesting and important piece of Manx history and yet it’s the one that’s never surfaced as being commemorated.’

The group came together through this shared interest.

He said: ’We were conscious of the 200th anniversary because there was an opportunity to use it as a reason for making sure it wasn’t forgotten.

’We felt it was important to take this forward in any way we could, so we set up a group to discuss ideas and take it forward.’

He continued: ’The only artefact is in the Speaker’s Garden where there’s a cannon that came off the Racehorse.

’There’s very little that people know about it and it was a small but important incident that resulted in lots of changes.

’Sir William Hillary was involved in terms of seeing the hardship and they say that it played a part in him setting up a voluntary lifeboat service in the Isle of Man.’