On the 3rd September 1878 - a pleasure boat by the name of the Princess Alice sunk in Galleons reach and many of her passengers (over 600) died in sewage invested waters. http://www.yellins.com/transporthistory/rail/alice.html
Although this tradegy took place 130 years - a memorial within Barking has never been errected.
A Remembrance Service was organized today by the Creekmouth Preservation Society www.creekmouth.net in recognition of those who lost their lives, the effects of the tradegy on the families and acknowledging the many villagers from Creekmouth village who tried to rescue the survivors.
Maria Williams very kindly invited Nigel & I to attend and Nigel led a short time of remembrance - this was followed by the planting of 200 bulbs. More bulbs will be planted at a later date to remember each person who perished that evening.
Looking out across the Thames to where the incident took place in 1878.
Nigel leading the Remembrance Service
planting of the bulbs
Nigel with Charlie - Chairman of The Creekmouth Preservation Society. In the background is the Barking Flood Barrier