Six hundred people came close to losing their lives at sea when a ship en route from Galway to Boston was nearly sunk by high winds during a voyage in 1860.
The story of this voyage, the near sinking of the ship, and its last minute rescue will be the subject of a public lecture next week for the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
The lecture, entitled The Rescue of the Passengers and Crew of the Connaught, Oct 7, 1860 will be given by Dr James Mitchell, a retired NUI, Galway lecturer, this Monday at 8pm in The Harbour Hotel.
The steamship Connaught, flagship of The Galway Line, left its home-port of Galway on Tuesday September 25, 1860, bound for Boston, with 600 people on board.
Early on Sunday October 7 with a gale blowing and the sea pouring in through a leak, the ship was found to be on fire. When all hope of survival seemed lost, a brig, the Minnie Schiffer, hove in sight and, having rescued all on board, landed them safely at Boston by the Tuesday.
The lecture will be illustrated with digital images. All are welcome to attend. See www.gahs.info
