2014

NR2741 : The American Monument

taken 10 years ago, near to Lower Killeyan, Islay, Argyll And Bute, Scotland

This is 1 of 5 images, with title The American Monument in this square
The American Monument
The American Monument
A view of the monument from the seaward side. See shared description below for more information.
American Monument, Mull of Oa

The American Monument is on the tip of the Mull of Oa at the extreme southwest of the island of Islay. It commemorates the loss of two troop ships, The Tuscania and The Otranto in 1918.
It actually overlooks the spot where the former of these sank on 5th February 1918 having been torpedoed by the German U-boat UB-77 while carrying American troops to Europe. She sank with the loss of 210 lives.
The second tragedy struck eight months later, on 6th October, very near the end of WWI - when another troop ship the HMS Otranto collided with HMS Kashmir. This incident was even more costly in human lives, with the loss of 431 comprising 351 US servicemen and 80 British crew.
The monument was erected in 1920 by the American Red Cross to commemorate these disasters and the souls who perished. It was designed by the architect Robert Walker and stands about 20m (65') tall perched on cliffs that rise 132m (433') above the sea. (The nearby trig pillar being recorded as at 131m) It resembles a lighthouse but has two bands of lighter coloured stones near its domed top. These bands have regular blank window-like niches around them. There is a large plaque set into the base of the monument on the landward side and above it is the head and wings of an American Eagle clutching a wreath in its talons.
The plaque reads:
Sacred to the Immortal Memory of those American Soldiers and Sailors who gave their lives for their country in the Wrecks of the Transports "Tuscania" and "Otranto" --- February 5th 1918 *** October 6th 1918
This Monument was Erected by The American Red Cross near to the spot where so many of The Victims of The Disasters Sleep in Everlasting Peace
.... (in italics there follows this verse) ....
On Fame's Eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread
While Glory keeps with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead
-----------------------------------------
On the seaward side is another smaller plaque encircled by a wreath - this reads:
A Tribute from Woodrow Wilson
President of
The United States of America
To the memory of his fellow citizens who gave their lives for their country in nearby waters
1918


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rob Farrow and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Coastal Island: Arran Primary Subject: Monument other tags: Monument Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
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Grid Square
NR2741, 89 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Rob Farrow   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Wednesday, 9 April, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Tuesday, 15 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 2705 4154 [10m precision]
WGS84: 55:35.4450N 6:20.0237W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 2705 4153
View Direction
North-northeast (about 22 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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