More than 200 men died when the Admiralty yacht HMY Iolaire ran aground and sank two miles south east of Stornoway on January 1 1919. The ship was bringing servicemen home from the First World War and was just minutes from its destination when it crashed onto the Beasts of Holm. Around 180 of the victims were from Lewis

Sheshader was badly affected by the tragedy as ten men from the village were lost. Added to the passing of an elderly lady at number 7 there were eleven wakes in our small village. It is hard to imagine the scale of grief on what should have been a happy homecoming.

This is a tribute to those lives that were tragically lost

Kind thanks to Chrissie Lawson’s contribution to this page

No Name Age Service Buried 5 Donald MacDonald, Mac Iain Dhomhnaill Dhomhnaill Phortair 41 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 6 Norman Montgomery, Tormod Chaluim Alasdair 37 Royal Naval Reserve Not Found 7 Murdo MacAulay, Mac Uilleam Mhurchaidh Iain Duinn 36 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 11 William Murray, Uilleam Moraidh 22 Royal Naval Reserve Not Found 13 Donald MacAulay Domhnaill Iain 'An Mholaich 19 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 15 Murdo MacKenzie Murchadh Choinnich Mhurchaidh 47 Royal Naval Reserve Not Found 20 John MacDonald Mac Choinnich 'An Phortair 29 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 20 John MacDonald Jnr Mac Choinnich 'An Phortair 26 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 22 Donald MacKay Domhnall 'An Chailein 22 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish 23 Norman MacLeod Tormod Chaluim Uilleim 29 Royal Naval Reserve Aignish

The cause of the disaster was never conclusively determined. A public inquiry was unable to establish the reasons for the accident.

I was interested in finding out if the matter was ever raised or discussed in Parliament. How far beyond the island community was the enormity of the disaster felt? Was it seen as a remote localised tragedy that went relatively unnoticed? As far as I am aware the Iolaire disaster is the worst maritime incident to occur during peacetime in UK costal waters. 

Dr Donald Murray was the first MP to represent the Western Isles at Westminster. As a native from Lewis he stood for election during the campaign of 1918. Donald Murray stood as an Asquithian Liberal under the slogan of ‘An Islesman for the Isles.’

He campaigned on the issues of crofting and unemployment and was not afraid to criticise the development plans of the then new proprietor of Lewis, Lord Leverhulme.

I found two separate questions that Dr Murray raised on the floor of the House of Commons regarding the disaster. They are recorded in Hansard, the official report.

HC Deb 26 February 1919 vol 112 cc1715-6

12. Dr. MURRAY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the finding of the fatal accidents inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's yacht "Iolaire," in which a strong recommendation is made that proper provision should be made for the safe transit of naval ratings on leave to the Western Isles; whether he intends to act upon this recommendation; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Long)

I take this opportunity of expressing the profound regret of the Board of Admiralty at the loss of over 200 gallant lives and of tendering their deepest sympathy to the relatives of the men who were lost in such tragic circumstances.

A copy of the findings of the jury has been received, and these findings and the recommendations accompanying them, including that referred to by my hon. Friend, will, of course, receive the very fullest consideration by the Admiralty. No statement can be made at the present moment, except that the very exceptional circumstances under which a large number of naval ratings required to travel to Stornoway on the same day are not likely to be repeated.

HC Deb 12 March 1919 vol 113 c1260

11. Dr. MURRAY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty propose to sell, or have already sold, to salvage contractors the wreck of His Majesty's ship "Iolaire"; whether he is aware that among the friends of the large number of victims of the disaster whose bodies have not been recovered there exists a strong feeling against disturbing the wreck, and especially against, any blasting operations thereon; and whether he can see his way to respect the local sentiment in this matter?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The wreck of the "Iolaire" was sold in January last. Subsequently, representations were received that operations for the salvage of the wreck should not be proceeded with so long as any bodies remained un-recovered. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that the purchaser was approached, and has consented to suspend operations until further notice.

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