- 1904 Project SS Norge 2004 -
Stornoway
Dansk
Deutsch
- June 28, 2004, 33 descendants and other relatives of Norge passengers and crew were gathered in Stornoway, in the Outer Hebrides, to mark the centenary of the "Norge" disaster. Stornoway was where most of 160 survivors came ashore and it was therefore found appropriate to mark this special occasion there.
The day started off with a bus trip to the Butt of Lewis, the northern tip of the Hebrides. This was where the "Norge" reported home for the last time by signaling Lloyds station there. Being symbolically the closest point to the wreck site, memorial prayers were conducted by Rev Dr Angus Morrison of Stornoway and Rev Malcolm Weisman, Minister to the Small Communities (Jewish), to remember the 635 people who perished. Norwegian author and "Norge" expert Per Kristian Sebak explained what took place at the Butt of Lewis 100 years ago. On the morning of the 4 July 1904, the German tanker "Energie" also signaled Lloyds station, reporting having picked up 71 survivors of the Norge. This message was instantly relayed to Stornoway, making authorities better prepared for the second arrival of survivors (the "Cervona" arrived unexpected with 34 survivors earlier in the morning).
At midday a memorial plaque was unveiled at the King Edward Wharf by Ebbe Pedersen, Vice Chairman of DFDS Torline. This was where the survivors came ashore. Stops were also made at the former Lewis Hospital building (now apartments) and also former Poorhouse site (building now demolished) before going to the "Norge" grave at Sandwick Cemetery. There memorial prayers were conducted by Rev Morrison and Rev Weisman, while Per Kristian Sebak gave biographical information about each of the 10 Norge victims who are buried there.
The day was rounded up with an official dinner at the Council Houses in Stornoway.Report by: Per Kristian Sebak
nolimitsdiving (c) 2004
