There was an interesting story about the Titanic on Radio 4 this morning. I didn't realise 67 Catholics were murdered in Belfast Shipyard during a 75 year period. These ranged from "accidental falls into the deep water" to brutal beatings in store rooms. It seems Belfast shipyard was extremely protestant, and they resented the company employing Catholics. They formed their own Orange Lodge, had their own battalion with the 36th Ulster Division during World War One, and workers from the yard closed down East Belfast on twelve occasions between 1920 - 85 to protest about British government policy favouring equality for Catholics living here. A group from Belfast are presenting an exhibition to highlight the bigotry within Belfast Shipyard to coincide with the anniversary of the sinking.
|