COBH:LOCALS IN Cobh, Co Cork, placed 1,517 white roses in the sea yesterday in memory of the passengers and crew who perished when the Titanic sank. The ceremony marked the final commemorative event in the Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 week-long series.
A special ecumenical service organised by the Irish Titanic Historical Society took place in St Colman’s Cathedral at 2pm yesterday with a parade following led by the local branch of O.N.E. and the St Colman’s Pipe Band.
The parade traced the route that Titanic’s last passengers took to the promenade adjacent to the White Star Line Pier, with participants pausing to lay wreaths at the Titanic Memorial in Pearse Square.
A ceremony at the Titanic Memorial included prayers and historical narrative, with musical honours provided by Cobh Confraternity Band and the Commodore Male Voice Choir.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the mayor of Cobh, Cllr Jim Quinlan, placed a wreath in the waters of Cork Harbour adjacent to the White Star Line Pier from where Titanic’s final passengers boarded tenders to take them to the liner. Members of the public then placed roses in the sea for those who lost their lives.
Some passengers boarded in Queenstown (Cobh), embarking on what was the largest liner afloat. Three days later it struck an iceberg in the north Atlantic and sank with the loss of over 1,500 lives, including 79 of those who boarded in Cobh.
President of Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce John Sweeney said the commemorations in the town were handled in an appropriate manner. “It was a very good week. It was very dignified throughout. It is just a wonderful start to the year for Cobh.”
Meanwhile, a unique exercise will be held at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, next Saturday when participants will experience what happens when a ship collides with an iceberg in a simulation experience. Passengers and crew have to be safely evacuated into life rafts.