Abandon Ship! Surviving the Wartime Atlantic

Discover the dramatic accounts of the sinking of two merchant ships in a new temporary exhibition at Museum nan Eilean, Lews Castle.

‘Abandon Ship! Surviving the Wartime Atlantic’ was developed by The Wellington Trust for display on board the HQS Wellington which is moored on the Thames in London. It tells the story of the SS Otaki, sunk by a German surface raider in 1917, and the MV Richmond Castle, sunk by a U-boat in 1942.

Aboard the Richmond Castle were two young seaman from the Isle of Lewis - Angus Murray and John MacIver - who ended up in separate lifeboats before both sets of men were rescued by different allied ships.

Angus and John were both awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition their bravery, skill and resourcefulness during the disaster.

Information displays adapted from the original exhibition will be seen alongside photographs and Angus Murray’s British Empire Medal, loaned by his family.

‘Abandon Ship! Surviving the Wartime Atlantic’ can be seen in the lobby of Museum nan Eilean, Lews Castle from 21 April.