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Survivor Honors Family Lost in 1966 Wales Boat Sinking
27 Jul
Summary
- A memorial was unveiled 60 years after a boat disaster.
- Fifteen people died when the Prince of Wales boat sank in 1966.
- A survivor aimed to ensure the victims were not forgotten.
On July 22, 1966, the Prince of Wales pleasure boat sank on the Mawddach Estuary in Gwynedd, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. Among the victims were Peter Watts' sister Angela, brother David, mother Doreen, and father Frederick George. Peter, then 14, was in Barmouth and unaware of the catastrophe until hours later.
The boat, carrying six more passengers than its permitted limit of 36, capsized near the Penmaenpool toll bridge due to the tide. Local residents managed to rescue 27 individuals from the water. An official inquiry found the skipper negligent and revealed a lack of safety equipment, including lifebelts.
Recently, on the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, a memorial bearing the names of the 15 victims was unveiled. Peter Watts, who travels from near Milton Keynes, attended the ceremony, expressing his desire to ensure those who perished are not forgotten. The inquiry's findings influenced changes in maritime law concerning passenger capacity and insurance.
