The Brig Lily Disaster, 1852
Channel: Culture Vannin
Date: 2017-12-24

A short film about one of the Isle of Man's most devastating maritime disasters.

"We have to record one of the most terrible disasters ever occurring on our coast"
The Brig Lily Disaster occurred on Kitterland at 7:45am, 28th December 1852.

A shipwreck in a storm left five people dead, but it was in the salvage operation in which the true Manx tragedy occurred; 29 local men died in a terrible explosion which was heard up to 18 miles away. Added to the tragedy was the fact that these 29 men were from the (at the time) very small communities of Port St. Mary and Cregneash, leaving behind 22 widows and 77 orphans.
The disaster sent shock waves through the Isle of Man and left a rift through the generations in the South which is still remembered within families to this day.

"The hearts of widows and orphans are torn in bitter anguish! Port St. Mary is in tears! Ye Christians of Mona, for the love of Christ, help these distressed ones!" [Mona's Herald, 29/12/1852]

A song was created for the disaster, the lyrics of which were put up recently on the #ManxMusic website: http://www.manxmusic.com/news_story_457404.html

More information about Manx history is available on the Manx History app:
http://www.manxhistory.com/app/#home

The film was made by Culture Vannin with thanks to Cathy Clucas.

This film was created by Culture Vannin in 2017.
Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
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