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Adam Brown

Motor Vessel 'Princess Victoria' Memorial
Location: The Harbour, Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway
OS Ref: NW 996 542
Sculptor: Unknown

Situated below the cliffs behind the tennis courts at Portpatrick a quite unnerving memorial

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject:

This memorial is in a dramatic setting behind Portpatrick harbour in a sheltered part of the rocks. It's hard to guess the size but the granite slab is probably about six feet long and the bottom of it is about 10 feet above the ground. (If anyone else has been to see this memorial I'm happy for them to contradict my measurements here).

Just opposite it a crack in the rocks allows sea spray to crash over the concrete path. I was there on a sunny evening in July and it was unsettling to stand underneath this memorial. On a wild January day it must be very atmospheric. A bold decision to erect such a memorial - well done Portpatrick.

If you go to the small RNLI museum nearby there is a large painting on the back wall of the building. It is about the loss of this ferry but because it is in an RNLI museum the subject is the local lifeboats in attendance rather than the stricken vessel itself and in fact all you see of the 'Princess Victoria' is her upturned stern.

A more conventional memorial to the tragic loss of this ferry is in Agnew Park in Stranraer. It's a cairn with an anchor on top. A recently added plaque to this older memorial lists all those who they know died. (There was no record of who was travelling on her so they can't be 100% sure exactly how many died) Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me when we visited Agnew Park.

Stranraer was its point of departure. There is another memorial at Larne in Northern Ireland the port it was travelling to

Wireless Operator of the Princess Victoria Radio Officer David Broadfoot was posthumously awarded the George Cross for remaining at his post while the vessel was sinking. He was a Stranraer man and his GC is in the local museum. I'd be interested to know if there are any memorials to this brave sailor. Here is his citation:

"Princess Victoria" left Stranraer on the morning of 31st January, 1953, carrying 127 passengers for Larne. After leaving Loch Ryan she encountered north-westerly gales and squalls of sleet and snow. A heavy sea struck the ship and burst open the stern doors and sea water flooded the space on the car deck causing a list to starboard of about 10 degrees. Attempts were made to secure the stern doors but without success. The Master tried his ship back to Loch Ryan but the conditions were of such severity that the manoeuvre failed. Some of the ship's cargo shifted from the port to the
starboard side and this increased the list as the crippled vessel endeavoured to make her way across the Irish Sea.
From the moment when "Princess Victoria" first got into difficulties, Radio Officer Broadfoot constantly sent out wireless messages giving the ship's position and asking for assistance. The severe list which the vessel had taken, and which was gradually increasing, rendered his task even more difficult. Despite the difficulties and danger he steadfastly continued his work at the transmitting set, repeatedly sending signals to the coast radio station to enable them to ascertain the ship's exact position.
When "Princess Victoria" finally stopped in sight of the Irish Coast her list had increased to 45 degrees. The vessel was practically on her beam ends and the order to abandon ship was given. Thinking only of saving the lives of passengers and crew, Radio Officer Broadfoot remained in the W/T cabin, receiving and sending messages although he must have known that if he did this he had no chance of surviving. The ship finally foundered and Radio Officer Broadfoot went down with her. He had deliberately sacrificed his own life in an attempt to save others."

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:30 am Post subject:

A few more images of this memorial

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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project