BY KATE HEANEY

THE Canadian Ambassador to Ireland laid a wreath in Fahan graveyard on Saturday to honour the 334 sailors who perished 91 years ago after their ship was torpedoed off Fanad Head.

In a poignant ceremony Mr Patrick Binns was joined by the Canadian naval attaché Captain Norm Jolin to especially remember their fellow Canadians who were aboard the ill-fated vessel which was carrying gold bullion to the USA.

The ceremony was the result of efforts by Newfoundland native Don McNeill who now lives in Buncrana.

Through his efforts the Ulster/Newfoundland Initiative was established to further links between the two countries.

Mr McNeill read out the names of the 21 Canadian sailors.

The Londonderry branch of the Royal Navy Association lowered their flag to recall all those sailors who drowned, as a lone piper played "Abide with Me". A solo violinist played a tribute to the dead.

Prayers were offered by Fahan PP Fr Neil McGoldrick and the Rev Sam Barton and a member of the naval association read a poem he had written about the souls who perished that January night.

CROSS

Wreaths were also be laid by the Inishowen Friends of Messine, the Royal Naval Association, the RNLI and the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership.

A large Celtic Cross in the graveyard behind Fahan Church of Ireland Church marks the mass grave in which many of the Laurentic's crew now rest.

John McCarter of the Inishowen partnership expressed the hope that the ceremony would mark the beginning of a better appreciation of the links between the North West of Ireland and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

It is hoped that further events will be planned and that stronger links will be forged between these two communities.

Speaking after the ceremony Don McNeill highlighted the fact that these sailors were young men - boys most of them - who were buried such a long way from home.

"We will try and get some exchanges and programmes happening between the two places and today's event will be the first step towards building on that," Mr McNeill told those at the memorial.