John
08-16-2009, 08:15 AM
They will meet at an evensong service which will be held at Southwark Cathedral in south London on the August 20 anniversary date on Thursday.
The names of all 51 people who died in the tragedy will be read out and two wreaths - one for the survivors, one for the dead - will be laid at the Marchioness memorial within the cathedral.
The names of the dead will also be read out at morning and lunchtime services at the cathedral, while the RNLI will place 51 red roses on the Thames at Southwark.
The disaster happened in the early hours of Sunday August 20 1989 when the pleasure boat Marchioness was packed with more than 130 partygoers on a warm evening.
Most were high fliers from the finance and fashion worlds and included Francesca Dallaglio, 19, the sister of former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio.
The vessel had been hired to celebrate the 26th birthday of Cambridge graduate Antonio de Vasconcellos.
As revellers danced the night away, there was a sudden collision shortly before 2am near Southwark Bridge involving the dredger Bowbelle - and the Marchioness sank.
A subsequent Marine Accident Investigation Branch report blamed poor lookouts on both vessels. This was a conclusion that was also reached by Lord Justice Clarke following a public inquiry which was held, after much pressure from the Marchioness Action Group, in 2000.
The public inquiry and the constant efforts of the Marchioness Action Group have led to improved Thames safety including, crucially, the launch of a lifeboat service by the RNLI in 2002.
The names of all 51 people who died in the tragedy will be read out and two wreaths - one for the survivors, one for the dead - will be laid at the Marchioness memorial within the cathedral.
The names of the dead will also be read out at morning and lunchtime services at the cathedral, while the RNLI will place 51 red roses on the Thames at Southwark.
The disaster happened in the early hours of Sunday August 20 1989 when the pleasure boat Marchioness was packed with more than 130 partygoers on a warm evening.
Most were high fliers from the finance and fashion worlds and included Francesca Dallaglio, 19, the sister of former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio.
The vessel had been hired to celebrate the 26th birthday of Cambridge graduate Antonio de Vasconcellos.
As revellers danced the night away, there was a sudden collision shortly before 2am near Southwark Bridge involving the dredger Bowbelle - and the Marchioness sank.
A subsequent Marine Accident Investigation Branch report blamed poor lookouts on both vessels. This was a conclusion that was also reached by Lord Justice Clarke following a public inquiry which was held, after much pressure from the Marchioness Action Group, in 2000.
The public inquiry and the constant efforts of the Marchioness Action Group have led to improved Thames safety including, crucially, the launch of a lifeboat service by the RNLI in 2002.