Source: City of Portsmouth
Residents are invited to Milton Cemetery on Friday 21 February, from 10.45am-11.15am, to mark the 108th anniversary of the sinking of SS Mendi, with a wreath-laying ceremony and short service.
On 21 February 1917, the SS Mendi was headed for France carrying men of the 5th Battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps to support allied forces in France during World War 1.
After midnight, thick fog covered the sea making it extremely difficult to navigate. 20km off the Isle of Wight the SS Darro suddenly struck the Mendi, cutting a massive hole. The SS Darro did not stop to pick up survivors.
The SS Mendi sank within 25 minutes and 646 men, both crew and labour corps, lost their lives that day. Nine soldiers from the 5th Battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps, who died in this, one of the worst British maritime disasters, are buried in the cemetery.
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr J. Fazackarley said: “It’s important for Portsmouth, our maritime city, that we continue to tell the story of the SS Mendi and the 646 brave men who died in this tragic disaster. This great loss must never be forgotten, and I am honoured to attend and be a part of this service.”