Ceremony in Cobh will remember 1942 Cork Harbour Tragedy 

THE 81st anniversary of the Cork Harbour Tragedy will be commemorated at a wreath-laying ceremony in Cobh later today organised by Irish Defence Forces veterans’ charity, ONE. 

Honouring the five Irish Naval Service and Cork Harbour Commission personnel who tragically lost their lives in Cork Harbour in 1942, the ceremony will begin at 11am and will see 12 wreaths laid in their memory at the East Beach Monument.

The maritime tragedy occurred on December 12, 1942.

That evening, Ireland's first naval merchant ship, the Irish Poplar, was approaching Cork Harbour when tragedy struck. 

Used to complete transatlantic voyages and deliver essential supplies to a neutral Ireland during WWII, the vessel was due for an annual refit at Cork Dockyard. 

Under wartime regulations, every ship entering the harbour had to be inspected for weaponry and ammunition before docking. 

Four members of the Irish Marine Service – the forerunner of the current Naval Service – Frank Lloyd, Frank Powell, Patrick Wilshaw and William Duggan, along with John Higgins and Jimmy Horgan from the Cork Harbour Commissioners, braved 20-foot waves and gale force winds to board the ship. 

With no lighting, and operating in treacherous conditions, the launch boats collided with the Poplar's propellers destroying the launch boats and capsizing the men into freezing cold waters. Five members of the inspection party lost their lives in the accident. 

The bodies of two of the men, John Higgins and Frank Powell, were never recovered.

Each year, on the Saturday closest to December 12, ONE (Óglaigh Náisiúnta Na hÉireann) hosts a remembrance ceremony to honour the five men who lost their lives while serving their country. 

“It is with pride that we honour the five Irish men who lost their lives in the Cork Harbour Tragedy of 1942," Cormac Kirwan, Irish Defence Forces veteran and CEO of ONE, said ahead of this year's commemoration. 

“John Higgins, Frank Lloyd, Frank Powell, Patrick Wilshaw and William Duggan made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and safeguard their country and its people. 

“On the 81st anniversary of this tragedy, we remember these men and ensure that their bravery and heroism will never be forgotten.”

Among those laying wreaths at today’s ceremony will be the Deputy Mayor of County Cork, Cllr John Healy; Commodore Michael Malone, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service (FOCNS), and the families of the deceased men.