Terrible tragedy struck Port St Mary. It echoes through time at the Brig “Lily” Disaster Memorial. This place marks a devastating event. It deeply impacted this Isle of Man community.
The brig Lily set sail from Liverpool in stormy conditions. That was December 23, 1852. Its destination was West Africa. Four days later disaster struck. The Lily ran aground on Kitterland. Kitterland is a rocky islet. It sits between the Sound and the Calf of Man.
After the surviving crew were rescued, salvagers arrived. They were from Port St Mary. They sought to recover the Lily’s cargo. Tragically, this cargo included gunpowder. On December 28th, that gunpowder exploded. Twenty-nine men died instantly. The explosion devastated Port St Mary.
Imagine the scene that Tuesday morning. It was five minutes to eight. The entire south of the Isle of Man shook. People thought it was an earthquake. The explosion’s force was immense. It was heard as far as Douglas, eighteen miles away. The brig Lily was ripped into tiny pieces.
James Kelly was the sole survivor. He awoke on a rock. He was deafened and nearly naked. He was lying in a pool of blood.
Consider the impact on the community. The 29 men left behind 22 widows. They also left 72 children. Port St Mary was in deep mourning.
The memorial before you remembers those lost. It is a testament to a tragedy. It shook the Isle of Man. The disaster left scars. The scars are still felt by families today.
The disaster’s impact was far-reaching. Houses shook. Miners at Ballacorkish were thrown over. Their candles went out from the shock. An ear was found five miles away at Scarlet. A shattered watch casing was found three miles away.
The inquest revealed grim details. There was a smell of smoke before the explosion. Men wanted to abandon the salvage. They knew about the gunpowder. A hole was cut in the deck to find the fire. Fresh air likely triggered the explosion.
Remember the brig Lily and its tragic end. Consider the lives lost. Reflect on the community’s grief. This memorial ensures their story is never forgotten. Their sacrifice is honored here.