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The Sinking of the Mail boat R.M.S. Leinster

Sunday, 30 November 2003

On the 10th October 1918, just a month before the close of World War I, the full horror of the conflict was brought home to the people of Kingstown (Now Dunlaoire).The Mailboat RMS Leinster with 700 passengers on board as well as 70 Crewmembers and 22 post office officials were torpedo by German Uboat 132.

The boat was just 12 miles outside Dunlaoire when the first torpedo struck, hitting the post office room at the front of the ship. Several minutes later a second torpedo struck the engine room.

Within 15 minutes the Leinster sank taking the lives of 500 people including the captain, Captain Birch, whose excellent seamanship had successfully steered the Leinster to safety on three previous occasions.

R.M.S. Leinster

Mr JJ Higgins was the only one of twenty-two post office staff to survive. The torpedo exploded in the middle of the Post Office destroying the floor and the stairs, which was the only means of escape. The stairs fell down into the storeroom underneath the post office and the men working in the fore part of the office were either killed instantly by the explosion or engulfed by the falling structure and drowned by the tonnes of water pouring in through the hole in the side of the ship.

Survivors of the disaster were brought to Kingstown. There were only two vacant beds in St Michael’s Hospital as 1918 say the outbreak of a massive influenza epidemic. Part of the railway station was converted into a morgue for the bodies. Throughout October newspapers were filled with harrowing stories of survivors, of their own fortunate escape and how they watched there fellow travellers meet their death. List of the dead, missing and survivors were published daily.

It later emerged that Uboat 132 never did return home, but was lost by striking a mine in the north sea on the way back.

This year to make the 85th Anniversary of the sinking of the Leinster and remember all those who died a special service and parade was held in Dunlaoire.

An interfaith service was held in St Michael’s Catholic Church Dunlaoire which was led by the Parish Priest Father Mangan assisted by Representatives of the Church of Ireland, Unitarian Church, Methodist Church and the Catholic Church in Holyhead, Wales. Choirs from schools in Holyhead, Wales and Dunlaoire participated in the service along with the No. 1 Irish Army Band. A parade then took place down Marine Road to the anchor of the Leinster ship (which now stands as a monument on the seafront) led by a colour party of the Army and Naval Services along with the No 1 Army Band. This was followed by Postal Workers with wreaths from Holyhead, Dublin and Belfast along with Police Officers from Holyhead and Gardai from Dunlaoire. The Royal British Legion also participated in the parade along with ex-servicemen’s associations from both the Irish and British army.

A very moving remembrance service took place at the anchor of the Leinster on the seafront in Dunlaoire and an oration was given by Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, of the Labour Party and also of the Dublin Drivers Branch.

Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, America, Germany and other countries participated. Children from St Killians German School in Dublin read out the names of the young German sailors who died on the Uboat along with young Irish and Welsh children who read out the names of some of those who died on the Leinster. The service and commemoration afterwards was incredibly moving and was a credit to all those who participated and those who put a lot of effort into organising this befitting commemoration for the Leinster and all its passengers.

Post Office Workers who died on the RMS Leinster on 10th of October 1918 were as follows: