HERITAGE NEWS 014

First issued: 12th December 2013

LAKONIA – 50 year anniversary

You will have hopefully read the coverage on the unveiling of a memorial plaque to the sinking of the TSMS Lakonia covered in the local press. The plaque has been commissioned by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust in commemoration of the terrible night when the cruise ship, carrying mostly British and Irish passengers, caught fire off the coast of Madeira in the Atlantic. Following the disaster 58 victims were buried in North Front Cemetery in Gibraltar, but since then most have been repatriated. There are just 14 graves remaining now - nine in the Protestant area, two in the Catholic area and three in the Jewish cemetery.  Until now there was no official commemoration of the event.

The Trust was privileged to have helped facilitate this event together with the online forum Andalucia.com.

Gibraltar Chronicle article of the event can be read here: http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=32016

The TSMS Lakonia on fire

Chairman of the Trust, Dr Keith Farrell, introduces the ceremony.

Survivor,Philip MCGovern with Chris Chaplow looking on, gives his memories

Rescuer Gordon Holmes gives his account

Father Andrew, Mission to Seamen, reads a payer

Msgr Bear reads a prayer  

Rabbi Hassid says a few words

Minister Linares at the unveiling

GHT representatives with Mr J. Imossi, Greek Consulate; and Lakonia survivor and family.

GHT Calendar 2014

As recently advertised, the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Calendar for 2014 is out now. This year’s calendar focuses on Gibraltar’s role in World War One as 2014 sees the centenary of the outbreak of the war. Although no actual fighting took place in Gibraltar itself during the Great War (1914 – 1919), Gibraltar proved its worth on many levels.

The Rock served as an important refuge for steamers avoiding submarine attack, coaling station, a safe port for obtaining supplies of fresh water and provisions, repairing port for damaged vessels and last but not least as a naval station and dockyard of the highest order for the British and their Allies. Thousands of Sailors, many of them crews of torpedoed vessels were brought to Gibraltar for recuperation. The arrival of Hospital ships with wounded men was the occasion for Gibraltar to come forward and show its charity towards these men who had been disabled in the defence of the British Empire. Many local men signed up to the cause also and the ‘Gibraltar Volunteer Corps’ (a forerunner to the Gibraltar Regiment) was formed. The civilian population did Gibraltar proud in their support of the cause of the war. Gibraltar’s right to the title ‘Key to the Mediterranean’ was fully demonstrated during the Great War.

The Calendar comes with its own envelope for posting overseas and is available from local bookshops and the Trust offices in John Mackintosh Square.

Government call for Northern Defences expressions of interest

The Government have issued a notice calling for expressions of interest from companies interested in developing the Northern Defences.

This area of Gibraltar, know locally to many as ‘The Jungle’ has been derelict for decades. The site is large and comprises of parallel terraces which run along the cliff face which were excavated in the 18th Century.  Termed the King’s, Queen’s, and Prince’s lines they give access to a series of immense excavations behind, forming subterranean galleries or barracks, capable of containing several thousand soldiers in time of need, and entirely protected from shot or shell. The Northern Defences, as they are collectively known, were developed to fire out over the isthmus and provide flanking fire for the Landport defences. So formidable was this cover that it earned the significant name of the ‘Mouth of Fire’ from the attacking Spanish and French forces.

The Trust was notified by Government of the intention to call for expressions and we have had some limited discussion on what we think the best way forward for this site is. The notice is clear that any proposals are to convert the site for the restoration / conservation, embellishment and re-use of the Northern Defences for touristic and recreational purposes.

The Notice states that:

“Regard must be given to the sensitive conservation and re-use of the monuments and tunnels within the area which are listed under the ‘Gibraltar Heritage Trust Act 1989’.

Proposed schemes and ideas must integrate

a)         the conservation and sensitive re-use of listed monuments & tunnels;

b)         the conception & creation of a first class tourism attraction;

c)         full or partial retention of the open land for the use of the community as an amenity or leisure resource”

As a Trust we would like to invite any prospective developers to approach the Trust at an early stage to discuss, without prejudice, any ideas they might have for the site. Any enquiries would be treated in the strictest confidence.

Main Guard Update

Work is continuing at a good pace on the refurbishment and restoration of the Main Guard building. We are very excited to see a section of scaffolding coming down today revealing to the public a sneak peak of the new colourscheme and finish.