Tribute to lost crew (From Thisisdorset)

Tribute to lost crew

10:53am Wednesday 25th April 2007

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YOUNG sailors who lost their lives in a peacetime tragedy in Portland Harbour were remembered when a bench was dedicated at a Weymouth beauty spot.

When the Friends of the Rodwell Trail bought two benches a member suggested one of them should be dedicated to the 29 men from HMS Illustrious who drowned in October 17, 1948.

The naval ratings from Illustrious had enjoyed a night out in Weymouth and were on their way back to the ship when their launch sank in a gale.

The Friends of the Rodwell Trail, which had planned for the benches to be sited behind the old Wellworthy's factory overlooking Portland Harbour, welcomed the idea and contacted the Royal Naval Association and the HMS Illustrious Association for advice.

Representatives from those groups and from HMS Illustrious itself joined the Friends for the dedication ceremony, led by Portland vicar the Rev David Botterill, before enjoying refreshments at the Ferrybridge Inn.

The benches are among the projects to be funded by a Local Heritage Initiative grant of £22,000.

The Friends have also used the grant to create a new seating area at the old gun emplacement, erect vintage station signs and information boards, and reprint copies of their popular booklet, From Rail to Trail.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, the Ridgeway Centre and the Probation Service have all provided manpower.

People are invited to visit Weymouth Tourist Inform-ation Centre where there is a display about the trail.

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