Tourism office excel in hosting Birkenhead commemoration

 Tourism office excel in hosting Birkenhead commemoration

Gansbaai Courant

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

 Tourism office excel in hosting Birkenhead commemoration

Gansbaai Courant

Gansbaai Courant provides the Gansbaai community with the latest in news and interesting stories about and around the area.

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

Watch the Gansbaai Video
Read More

Recent Posts

R43 Padgebruikers Kla: Padmakers Moet Spoed Verminder

R43 Padgebruikers Kla: Padmakers Moet Spoed V...

Gansbaai Courant het heelwat klagtes van padgebruikers ontvang dat die R43-pad tussen Stanford en Gansbaai onveilig is.

Gansbaai Courant
Vanuit My Stoel: Julie 2024

Vanuit My Stoel: Julie 2024

Gansbaai Courant redakteur - Marinda van der Walt se Julie 2024 komentaar oor stories en hul kante - jou kant, my kant en die waarheid.

Gansbaai Courant
Sirkels: Anton Goosen se Nuwe Album en Vertonings

Sirkels: Anton Goosen se Nuwe Album en Verton...

Anton Goosen se nuwe album, Sirkels, maak draaie om die liefde en die lewe,maar handel ook oor sirkels van tyd, op die water, om paaldanse, arende, en die stryd tussen goed en kwaad, vrede en oorlog, sinvolheid en hoop.

Gansbaai Courant
Kultuurghoeroe's Deurvleg Met Kroonstad Se Kaalvoetkinders

Kultuurghoeroe's Deurvleg Met Kroonstad Se Ka...

Alles het so gelyk gebeur - Media24 se aankondiging dat van hul koerante nie meer in druk beskikbaar gaan wees nie, Anton Goosen se nuutste musiekalbum wat vrygestel is en die afsterwe van baanbreker-redakteur, Schalk Pienaar se dogter, Annatjie Louw...

Gansbaai Courant
Amanda Skuiw Na 'n Nuwe Era

Amanda Skuiw Na 'n Nuwe Era

Sedert 1950 is Seaviewrylaan 177 deel van die De Vries-familie en hul geskiedenis, maar dis nou tyd vir Amanda om aan te skuif.

Gansbaai Courant
Dorp Raak Al Vroliker

Dorp Raak Al Vroliker

Muurskilderye en bewerkte tuine maak Gansbaai vroliker. Oorspronklike berig in Gansbaai Courant Julie 2024.

Gansbaai Courant