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Wreath laid on Salt Island in memory of those perished on RMS Rhone in 1867
The event was a partnership between National Parks Trust and BVI Wreck Week organisers BVI Scuba Organisation.
Among those attending the event were Lily Mae, Nora Smith Manns, Daisy Durrant, Maggie Dawson and Anna Durrant who grew up on Salt Island and persons were able to hear stories from the ladies about their time growing up on the island.
Also in attendance were Director of National Park Trust Dr Cassandra P. Titley-O'Neal, Director of BVI Wreck Week Kim Huish, and Miss Teen British Virgin Islands Pageant BVI 2024 First Runner-up Tiya M. Herbert.
RMS Rhone
Salt Island, which derived its name from its salt ponds, is sandwiched between Cooper Island to its east and Peter Island and Deadman's Chest to its west.
On October 29, 1867, a Category 3 hurricane (San Narcisco) sank the British ship RMS Rhone close to Salt Island. Only 23 of the 146 crew and passengers survived the wreck.
Some of the bodies drifted up on Salt Island shore where inhabitants of the island buried them in a mass grave at the western end of the island.
It is said that because of the kind act of the Salt Island people, Queen Victoria decreed that they and their descendants should occupy Salt Island for perpetuity.
The Wreck of the Rhone featured in the 1977 movie The Deep is now a popular dive site, and also the surrounding area is a national park.
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11 Responses to “Wreath laid on Salt Island in memory of those perished on RMS Rhone in 1867”
The African Studies club has a wreath laying ceremony every year. You can contact them for more info on this. Po