Lifesaving, Vessel Loss

Memorial: M3199

Memorial at St Mary’s Church, Monkstown, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland commemorating Captain John McNeill Boyd RN and other men of the coastguard, lost in a lifesaving attempt in 1861

Location

St Mary's Church, Monkstown, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Transcript

'In memory of Captain John McNeill Boyd R.N.; John Curry, Able Seaman; Thomas Murray, Able Seaman; John Russell, ordinary seaman, James Johnson, ordinary seaman; Alexander Forsythe, ordinary seaman; who lost their lives on the outside of the east pier at Kingstown, in noble efforts to rescue the crew of the wrecked brig Neptune, during a fearful gale from the E.N.E. on the 9th February 1861. To commemorate the death of six brave sailors of H.M.S. Ajax this monument is raised. The providence of God ordained that they should die, not on board their ship defending their country, but as Christian men seeking to save their perishing brethren. They glorified God, whose waves went over them, by a death not unmeet for Christian Britain. Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends. John IV. 13. Erected by the Commodore Hastings R Yelverton, C.B. Controller-General of the Coast Guard, the officers and ship's company (including tenders) of H.M.S. Ajax and the officers and men of the Kingstown district Coast Guard.'

Details

Description: A broken mast on a rectangular plinth.
Type: Monument
Position: Churchyard
Vessel: HMS Ajax

People

Boyd, John McNeill
Age: 49
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation: Royal Navy
Curry, John
Age:
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Able Seaman
Organisation: Royal Navy
Forsythe, Alexander
Age:
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Ordinary Seaman
Organisation: Royal Navy
Johnson, James
Age:
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Ordinary Seaman
Organisation: Royal Navy
Murray, Thomas
Age:
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Able Seaman
Organisation: Royal Navy
Russell, John
Age:
Date of Death: 9/2/1861
Cause of Death: Maritime accident
Rank / Occupation: Ordinary Seaman
Organisation: Royal Navy

Extra

Notes: Captain Royal Navy, HMS 'Ajax', drowned in attempt to rescue crew of 'Neptune' during hurricane. Memorial also commemorates crew members lost at the same time who are buried in this cemetery.
Bibliography: 'Illustrated London News' (5 Oct 1861), p357.
Recorder: Christine Parkes, 5/3/1982
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