On this day in 1919, about two hundred men from the Isle of Lewis, elsewhere in the Hebrides and the United Kingdom lost their lives in the service of King & Country in the sinking of HMY Iolaire outside Stornoway Harbour. The ship ran aground at time of posting (1.55 am), and foundered 90 minutes later. Of the ship's company of about 280, only 75 survived.
Further details on this webpage.
The 90th anniversary of this tragedy will be commemorated at Holm Point, Stornoway, today at midday. The below picture shows the location of the sinking.
