Rev' Alex Currie(copyright Phil Kneen)
An entry by Trevor Gibbs
As we enter 2010 the Harvest project has embarked on a new phase, one that has seen myself and Phil photographing and interviewing some of the people who were directly involved in the search and recovery operations here on the Isle of Man. These interviews have seen us meeting up with people from the Department of Home Affairs and the RNLI, with journalists who were there when the boat made its final silent entrance into Ramsey Harbour and with fishermen who shared the anguish of the families that night: men who but for the grace of God and a fair wind, could have found themselves in the same situation as the doomed crew of the Solway Harvester.
Talking to people, it’s interesting to hear how they first got news of the tragedy. Like memories of 9/11 or the death of Princess Diane, these isolated stories are little cameos in their own right, orbiting around the bigger story like tiny satellites. Paul Caine, the mechanic on the Peel lifeboat, had spent the evening listening to the drama unfold at home, whilst Daphne Caine (no relation) from the Department of Home Affairs, who was on her honeymoon at the time, read of the sinking whilst cruising the Caribbean. Their subsequent roles in the unfolding events could not have been more different either. Just a few hours later Paul found himself searching the boiling seas for the missing trawler, whilst Daphne returned to the full glare of the world media, as she took on the task of Dudley Butt’s press liaison officer.
The tendrils of this tragedy seem to spread out like an uncontrollable virus, touching people in a myriad of different ways, evoking sadness and hope, pity and anger, but always leaving behind a story or a memory that will remain long after the boat has finally gone. I don’t think Phil or myself ever envisaged how much of an affect it would have on us when we began this project, but the more we hear of how it has touched people’s lives, the more we feel inspired to do it justice.
And this is where you out there can help. The one thing we do need help with is funding. Besides the exhibition we also want, if possible, to produce a book to accompany the event; something that will provide more meat to the bones of the story. We would also like to be able to exhibit the photos in Whithorn as well if possible, so that the families and friends of the crew can view them. If anyone feels willing or able to contribute something therefore, or indeed has any idea of possible leads we could follow up, then please let us know.
Neither Phil nor myself intend making any money from this enterprise, but we would like to be able to make it a worthy testament to both the crew of the Solway Harvester and to the incredible role played by the Isle of Man in their recovery, with any excess funds being donated to either the families, the RNLI or the Fishermen’s Mission.