A SCOTS island community has paid its respects to hundreds of soldiers and crew who lost their lives when a First World War troopship sank off its coast a century ago.
British vessel the SS Tuscania was carrying American troops bound for the battlefields of Europe when it was torpedoed by a German submarine in waters between Islay and Northern Ireland on February 5, 1918.
Despite efforts from the Royal Navy and islanders, about 210 of those on board did not survive.
Yesterday, a special ceremony was held on the Inner Hebridean island to mark 100 years since the event. Another 470 men died when a second ship, HMS Otranto, was lost off the island on October 6, 1918, after a collision with another Navy vessel.
WW100 Islay chairwoman Jenni Minto said: “Today was a very fitting local tribute to those lost in the SS Tuscania disaster.
“In addition to remembering the soldiers and crew who lost their lives in these two tragedies, the Islay 100 programme recognises the contribution made by the local community to the rescue of survivors and its dedication to respectfully burying the casualties.
“Our aim is to leave a lasting legacy that can be revisited by individuals and communities in the future.”
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