A wartime tragedy just 30 miles south of the Isle of Man has been commemorated by relatives of those who died on board SS Dundalk in October 1918.

Relatives laid a wreath at the site of the ship’s sinking after the Steam Packet Company boat Manannan deviated course from her usual Dublin to Douglas route.

The Dundalk, a merchant ship carrying passengers and freight, was almost broken in two when it was sunk by a torpedo, killing 21 of the 32 people on board.

Family members who wanted to mark the centenary were taken on board Manannan for a short commemorative service which included a wreath laying ceremony.

The relatives of those who survived then presented a commemorative plaque to Captain Sean Rooney, thanking the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for its help with the service and in honour of the 1918 rescue mission when its vessel SS Douglas picked up five survivors.

Marie Agnew, secretary of the SS Dundalk Centenary Committee, said it was a poignant occasion.

’This impacted upon the lives of so many people local to the area of Dundalk so for the Steam Packet Company to bring us to the resting place of the SS Dundalk was such a kind gesture, we cannot thank them enough.

’Manannan cut its engines and gave us 20 minutes over the wreck site and the names of those lost were read out.

’It is hard to find the words to describe the moment when we had a minute of silent reflection followed by laying of flowers with messages to everyone who rests there.’

Among those on board the Dublin to Douglas sailing were three grandchildren of the captain Hugh O’Neill who died in the sinking.

Steam Packet Company chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’Naturally, the relatives of those on the SS Dundalk have taken an avid interest in the story of the stricken vessel down the years and the Isle of Man connection.

’From the moment they contacted us, we wanted to try to help fulfil their wishes.’