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Mona's Queen Anchor
Restoration
THE anchor from the Mona’s Queen,
one of three Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ships lost at Dunkirk
in May 1940. The anchor was raised last year (2010) after an
initiative involving the late Captain Andrew Douglas and Captain
Hamish Ross to return it to the Isle of Man to form a memorial to
all Steam Packet Company staff who lost their lives during World War
Two.
Now, thanks to the generous help of Manx Independent Carriers and
Cammell Laird Shipyard, where the ship was built, the anchor is now
home, at Cammell Laird, from Dunkirk. It will undergo restoration
and then with help from Manx Independent Carriers who provided the
transport from Dunkirk to Cammell Laird in Birkenhead will then move
it to the Island.
The Mona’s Queen was one of eight Steam Packet Company ships which
between them rescued 24,669 troops as part of Operation Dynamo. The
other ships lost at Dunkirk were Fenella and King Orry.
Following the death of Captain Douglas
in January 2010, Captain Ross set about ensuring that the idea
became a reality. This involved working with the relevant Isle of
Man, UK and French authorities who were most helpful and culminated
in the raising of the anchor becoming an important element of the
70th anniversary commemoration of Operation Dynamo that took place
in Dunkirk on 29 May 2010. The moving act of remembrance was
attended by the Chief Minister The Hon Tony Brown MHK, Captain Ross
and Steam Packet Company representatives, Captain Kane Taha and
Director of Marketing and Communications David Findlay.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward
said:- "The raising of the anchor attracted much interest both
on and off-Island and the Steam Packet Company is delighted with the
response from both the public and the business sector. Manx
Independent Carriers was happy to work with us to transport the
anchor home to the Island and the team at Cammell Laird was only too
happy to get involved. It is fitting that the anchor, while in very
good condition, will be restored at the shipyard where the ship was
built and launched in April 1934."
Mr Woodward explained:- "We want to ensure that the anchor is
displayed in a fitting memorial that will be readily accessible for
the people of the Island and its visitors, and where they can learn
about, and reflect upon, the Island’s significant and proud
contribution to Operation Dynamo, which had a major impact on the
outcome of World War Two. We will be reviewing suggestions for the
proposed site and will be making an announcement within the next few
weeks."
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