CHS talk on our '˜HMS Drake'

‘HMS Drake was torpedoed on 2 October 1917, five miles north of Rathlin Island, off the north coast of Ireland. She later sank in Church Bay, the largest wreck close to the shore in Irish waters, and is passed daily by island residents and visitors alike. But that was not all that happened on that epic day, which bought some of the horrors of the Great War to the quiet shores of Rathlin Island. Recounting the life, times and death of the Drake, these stories are now being told for the first time...

Ian Wilson has had a lifetime’s interest in Ulster’s maritime history. From Bangor, Co Down, his published work includes ‘Shipwrecks of the Ulster Coast’ and ‘Donegal Shipwrecks’, and he has lectured and broadcast regularly. He has been a teacher of English and History and a museum curator.’

The talk will take place at 7.30pm in the Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine in the Ground Floor Room.

Cost to non-members, who will be made very welcome, is £3 including tea/coffee and biscuits. Free to existing members. Cost of membership is £10 per annum.

Details of the Coleraine Historical Society, how to become a member and complete listing of the 2015/2016 programme of talks is available on the website colerainehistoricalsociety.co.uk.

They are now also on Facebook – see Coleraine Historical Society NI page – they would welcome your comments, queries, photos.

The next in the series of talks will be on Tuesday, April 18 at the Sandel Centre with guest speaker Stanley Bate on ‘Working in a Man-Made Fibre Factory’! Look out for further details in early April.