Memorial stone at Agnew Park, Stranraer commemorating the loss of the MV ‘Princess Victoria’
Location
Agnew Park, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Transcript
'On the morning of 31st January 1953, The M.V. Princess Victoria left the East Pier Stranraer to make its normal crossing to Larne. Off Corsewall Point, the ship encountered the full fury of the gale which was that day to cause so much damage and loss of life throughout the country and despite the valiant efforts of her crew, the lifeboatmen and other seafarers, the Princess Victoria foundered off the coast of Northern Ireland with the loss of 133 lives. Of those lost 33 were inhabitants of Stranraer whose death the community mourns.'
Details
Description: Built out of stone representing the shape of the Ailsa Craig. There is an anchor on the top and a bronze plaque placed in the centre. More recently on the 50th Anniversary another bronze plaque has been placed at the front of the memorial incribed with the names of all those who were lost.
Type: Stone
Position: Right hand side within Agnew Crescent entrance
Materials: Stone
Vessel: Princess Victoria
Type: Stone
Position: Right hand side within Agnew Crescent entrance
Materials: Stone
Vessel: Princess Victoria
Extra
Notes: The memorial was moved when the park was redesigned in about 1989. There was considerable controversy at the time as local people felt there was insufficient consultation. Not all the bodies were recovered from the sea and the memorial was regarded as a headstone by relatives of the dead.