I would be very interested to see the lyrics/hear the tune of the song that James Berriman referred to having heard sung at the Whitby Folk Festival recently.

As you probably know, the Isle of Man Government showed its independence by not following the general policy of the United Kingdom and raising the Solway Harvester for further investigation. It sank in the Manx territorial sea, about eleven miles off Douglas.

Before that, all seven bodies were recovered from on board, and the Isle of Man Government and the fishing industry here assisted the distressed families in coming to the Island for the inquest and taking back the bodies for burial.

Isle of Man Government members and fishing industry representatives attended the funerals, and very shortly a memorial will be raised on Douglas Head.

The whole affair has strengthened the links between the fishing families in that part of Scotland and the Isle of Man. However, part of the waters by Kirkcudbright has been known as 'Manxman's Lake' for many years, showing the strong affinity between the areas.

The general public in the Island have been very moved by the tragedy; a lot of money has been raised for the families; and there has been a huge wave of sympathy in general.

A song about the sad events which have hit home hard here as well as in Whithorn/Kirkcudbright would be of very great interest to people in the Isle of Man, so if any person can post the lyrics and a midi file, I'd be very grateful.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob