Yet another memorable weekend has passed to commemorate the HMS Birkenhead Troopship.
This year marked the 165th anniversary of the HMS Birkenhead that shipwrecked along the Danger Point shore on the 26th February in 1852.
The morning of Saturday, 25 February, was a busy day with an early boat trip to Birkenhead Rock – the site of the tragic loss.
Marine Dynamics, Dyer Island Cruises and Shark Lady launched their vessels to a backdrop of ominous clouds with a promising rainbow which made for a memorable wreath laying ceremony.
In total 95 guests were accommodated between the three vessels. On return, the Great White House offered scrumptious muffins and coffee to everyone to warm up and share stories.
The Birkenhead Evening was hosted by Gansbaai Tourism and catering was sponsored by Marine Dynamics and The Great White House.
Dr James Gray moved the guests to tears with the heart gripping story of the unfolding events on that fatal day 165 years ago. Gray quoted from a Rudyard Kipling poem Soldier an’ Sailor too: 'To stand and be still to the Birkenhead Drill is a damn tough bullet to chew.'
The service and wreath laying ceremony was held on Sunday morning at the Danger Point Lighthouse that overlooks the Birkenhead Rock.
A beautiful sunny morning with clouds framed the lighthouse, a living monument to remind all of the lives lost along the dangerous coastline of the Western Cape.
The Welsh Men’s Choir from Cape Town joined the service for the first time and serenaded with hymns of old.
Mr Frank Halforty was the MC and Caron Lee, chairperson of the Gansbaai Tourism committee, welcomed all the attendants. The service was led by Dr James Gray, “By commemorating these events we can retrieve the lessons learned from them. By remembering and hearing the story, we are moved to these lessons and to be better people ourselves”.
Executive Deputy Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, recounted the events and opened the wreath laying ceremony. Other special guests included descendants of Michael Healy, Michael and Doreen Venables, who wouldn’t be here today if his great grandfather hadn’t survived the Birkenhead disaster. He visits every year from the UK to attend the memorial, “It is amazing to see that after all these years’ people are still remembering and commemorating this tragic event. It is an honour to attend”.
A huge applause to Glenda Kitley, Manager of Gansbaai Tourism and the tourism committee for organising this year’s event.
Gansbaai Tourism with the support of Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruses have been organising the Birkenhead Commemoration since 2002.
Artefacts from the Birkenhead can be viewed at a special display at the Great White House restaurant in Kleinbaai.
Cari du Preez
