Fishguard Bay Hotel photographic exhibition

Tonight I visited the Bay Hotel who, for the rest of the month, are holding another of their photography exhibitions. This year the theme is the actual construction of Fishguard Harbour by the Great Western Railway company. Initially the Harbour was a success with Cunard's transatlantic liners calling with both passengers and mail to meet the London bound train.
I expected to write a piece on the history of the harbour however as I walked around the boards I came upon 2 pictures of the Saint Patrick. This ship was sunk by the Luftwaffe as she crossed from Rosslaire to Fishguard on the 13th June 1941 with the loss of 20 lives. I found these pictures so poignant as every year Stena Line host the St Patrick crossing in the week up to Remembrance Sunday. Guest from both sides of the Irish Sea sail from Rosslaire and a service is held over the resting place of the Saint Patrick. I have had the Honour, on behalf of Fishguard and Goodwick , of depositing a wreath on the Irish Sea on two occasions in remembrance of the lives lost. It is a truly moving experience and the moment I saw the pictures of the ship the memories came rushing back.