Mast

Over the last 4 months our walks have often taken us through the cemetery, and yet it was only today that I spotted this poignant inscription, I think the missing word is “mast”. The Lord Warden was one of the last two timber ships built for the Royal Navy, also the heaviest timber ships ever built. They benefited from both sail and steam power, so dual fuel. It appears Thomas fell from a mast into the sea it’s not clear whether he drowned or was fatally injured, as was the normal at that time he was buried at sea and as a token of respect his shipmates funded a commemorative stone to be placed in his hometowns cemetery.


In memory of Thomas Carrigan, who was killed by falling from a....on board H.M.S. Lord Warden and was buried at sea July 13th 1874, aged 23 years & 3 months.
In the bloom of youth our brother died
Beloved by all who knew him. 
One moment full of joy and pride, 
the next a mangled ruin.
And now beyond the foaming wave,
His resting place must be,
A watery grave did him receive, 
Into eternity.
 
The above is dedicated to his memory by his shipmates, as a token of respect,
H.M.S. Lord Warden, Mediterranean