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From The Irish Independent
A massive cannon was yesterday lifted onto land, 90 years after sinking to a watery grave on the seabed of Lough Swilly in Donegal.
The seven-metre gun, weighing more than seven tons, was lifted on to the pier at Downings after a three-year salvage recovery operation by local divers.
It is from the wreck of the Laurentic, a luxury liner built in 1908 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, which was sunk by German mines in January, 1917, shortly after sailing from Buncrana when on First World War service.
The gun is to be mounted for display on Downings Pier. One member of the diving team, Joe Devenney, said: "It's incredible to have been involved in an operation like this. You feel as though you are connecting with history."
Good photo in the paper today, can't find in the website though.
http://www.independent.ie/national-n...r-1092851.html
EDIT: From The Derry Journal
"Derry-born owner of the ship, Des Cossum, says the gun, which is around six inches long and has been under the sea for 90 years, will be mounted at the harbour in the Downings in Co. Donegal as a "testimony to the futility of war.""
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/...day.3242249.jp
A massive cannon was yesterday lifted onto land, 90 years after sinking to a watery grave on the seabed of Lough Swilly in Donegal.
The seven-metre gun, weighing more than seven tons, was lifted on to the pier at Downings after a three-year salvage recovery operation by local divers.
It is from the wreck of the Laurentic, a luxury liner built in 1908 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, which was sunk by German mines in January, 1917, shortly after sailing from Buncrana when on First World War service.
The gun is to be mounted for display on Downings Pier. One member of the diving team, Joe Devenney, said: "It's incredible to have been involved in an operation like this. You feel as though you are connecting with history."
Good photo in the paper today, can't find in the website though.
http://www.independent.ie/national-n...r-1092851.html
EDIT: From The Derry Journal
"Derry-born owner of the ship, Des Cossum, says the gun, which is around six inches long and has been under the sea for 90 years, will be mounted at the harbour in the Downings in Co. Donegal as a "testimony to the futility of war.""
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/...day.3242249.jp