One of the last Princess Victoria disaster survivors dies

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Tuesday, 1 August 2017 08:06

By Roger Donnelly

by Roger Donnelly

One of the few remaining survivors of the MV Princess Victoria ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of 133 people, has died.

Larne man, Billy McAllister was a 17-year-old galley boy on the ship when it sank between Stranraer and Larne in January 1953.
He passed away on Friday 28 July.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Paul Reid, says he was “...deeply saddened to learn of Mr McAllister's death.
The sinking of the Princess Victoria devastated families and communities here, in Stranraer and further afield.
More than six decades may have passed, but the pain and sense of loss is still felt."

“Mr McAllister managed to rebuild his life, but told how we was haunted by the almost unimaginable ordeal he and so many others endured.
He said it was extremely difficult for him to recall the Princess Victoria tragedy, but that he felt it vital to do so in order to keep the memories of the victims alive. That is testament to the type of man he was."