A letter from Riverstick Foroige Club and Kinsale Community School, to express sympathy with the families of the victims of the Lusitania, was presented to the US Coast Guard
A LETTER from Riverstick Foroige Club and Kinsale Community School, to express sympathy with the families of the victims of the Lusitania, was presented to the US Coast Guard this week.
The letter was given this week by West Cork native, maritime lawyer Micheal Kingston, to the Commanding Officer Captain John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a special presentation in Arlington, USA.
Mr Kingston, from Goleen near Schull, brought the letter with him on a delegation to the US Coast Guard, where he delivered a talk on Safety of Life at Sea at the Maritime Safety Center Headquarters.
The letter was written by the Riverstick and Kinsale young people, in recognition of the US victims of the tragedy on May 7th 1915.
‘We are acutely aware of the significance of this tragedy in our community 100 years ago to the United States,’ the letter said, ‘and the loss of 128 of your citizens, and are always mindful that many of the victims rest in our local graveyards.’
It added: ‘As part of the centenary commemorations, the youth of our community through Riverstick Foroige Club, a club that assists the youth of our community to get involved in important projects in a collective and positive manner, and through Kinsale Community School, contributed to a Lusitania Exhibition to commemorate the victims of the tragedy.’
Michael also presented the Coast Guard with one of the calendars produced by the club, in memory of the Lusitania.
The students have also invited Captain Mauger to visit the museum at the Old Head of Kinsale signal tower, which was opened earlier this year.
