Maritime tragedy memorial to be unveiled

How the Chronicle recounted the tragedy earlier this year.

placeholder image — How the Chronicle recounted the tragedy earlier this year.

A MEMORIAL is to be unveiled 100 years after a maritime tragedy that took the lives of three Portstewart men.

It was a Saturday morning on January 6, 1923 when three men drowned trying to reach a ship bound for Coleraine.

James Doherty (60) and Alexander Millar (40) were pilots employed by Coleraine Harbour Commission to steer craft over the treacherous Bar mouth. The two highly experienced seafarers were accompanied by James's son, 18-year-old Harry Doherty, when disaster struck.

A century on, and a memorial has been commissioned by their employers who still own and operate the Bann Navigation,.

An unveiling ceremony is to take place on Monday, June 5, on the hill overlooking the harbour from where the three victims embarked.

Full report in this week's Chronicle