This story came through to The Mover’s office the other day; it has nothing to do with removals, but we found it interesting and thought our readers might be interested too.
A memorial has been unveiled in Birkenhead dedicated to the victims of one of the worst maritime disasters of the 19th century.
HMS Birkenhead, a steam frigate built by John Laird’s shipbuilders in Birkenhead, sank off the coast of Gansbaai, South Africa on February 26 in 1852. Out of 638 people onboard, only 193 survived. Many victims were taken by sharks. The tragedy was the first occasion when troops were ordered to 'stand fast' and the protocol of 'women and children first' was used. As a result, all women and children aboard the vessel survived. The action became famous as the 'Birkenhead Drill' throughout the British Empire, capturing a spirit of Britishness, and was used when RMS Titantic sank in 1912. The phrase was also used by Rudyard Kipling in his poem A Soldier An’ Sailor Too, which was read at the memorial service.
The memorial was designed through a competition organised and judged by Cammell Laird shipyard, Andy Liston of New Brighton Lifeboat Station and Wirral Council. The winning design was submitted by Jemma Twigg of Birkenhead Sixth Form College and built by Cammell Laird’s apprentices with materials donated by the company.
Cammell Laird Chief Executive John Syvret CBE said the company is immensely proud to have built the memorial.
Photo: The memorial to HMS Birkenhead.