SS Hilda shipwreck commemoration event in November

The SS Hilda, en route from Southampton to St Malo, was wrecked off the coast of St Malo on the Pierres des Portes on November 18, 1905.

The tragedy claimed the lives of many, including two brothers, William Flower, 26, and Frederick Isaac Flower, 20, who were part of the crew.

Frederick left behind a five-month-old son.

The Hilda Association, coordinated by Michèle Segura-Coz, is organising the commemoration in Dinard on the weekend of November 22.

The event is aimed at honouring the lives lost and rescued from the disaster.

A spokesperson for the Hilda Association said: "It will be a ceremony where the families and our survivors will finally be respected and not used as tokens for the benefit of others, as before."

The event will feature a boat ride over the wreck, three lectures about the ship, and a memorial service.

The organisers hope to have as many descendants of the passengers and crew present at the event as possible.

The association said: "The idea is that each survivor will be represented by at least one member of their family, a direct or indirect descendant in the majority of cases."

For those interested in diving on the wreck, the Saint-Malo Diving Club will provide equipment.

The first meeting point for divers will be specified later, but prospective divers can already book slots around 11am.

Attendees who wish to take the free SNSM boats should book around noon.

The journey to the wreck will take 40 minutes each way, with a 15-minute stopover at the site.

Anyone wishing to attend should email the Hilda Association at hilda.association@gmail.com.

From 4pm, three half-hour lectures will be held at the Palais des Arts in Dinard.

The speakers will be Emmanuel Faige, who will discuss the ship; Michèle, who will talk about the passengers; and Estelle Champeau, who will discuss the onion sellers of that time.

This will be followed by a choir performance and a cocktail reception.