Next February marks the centenary of the sinking at Gull Rock of the German barque Hera. The Falmouth lifeboat Bob Newbon, under the command of Samuel Hingston, managed to rescue five crew members from the ship in tough conditions.

The remainder of the crew whose bodies were recovered from the coastline are buried in a mass grave in Veryan Churchyard. The grave is over 30 metres long.

On the weekend of February 1 and 2 2014, the loss of the Hera and her crew, and also the part played by those involved in the rescue operation, will be commemorated in Veryan Church with a requiem mass and rededication of the grave.

There will be an exhibition of photographs and artefacts.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4 pm on Saturday, February 1, when visits to the grave will be arranged.

There will be a concert that evening featuring Du Hag Owr, Philleigh Shout and members of other local choirs. Du Hag Owr’s latest CD is entitled The Hera and includes an original song about the tragedy written by members of the group.

The requiem mass will take place on February 2 at 11am and the rededication of the memorials will take place at 3pm that day.

Descendants of the crew and those involved in the rescue, together with representatives from Germany and other local organisations that were involved will be invited to attend the commemoration.

Anyone who has any information, stories or artefacts about the sinking, the rescue or the aftermath is asked to contact Canon Doug Robins at fatherdougrobins@talktalk.net. Alternatively they can call him on 01872 501618.

For the full story about the loss of the ship and rescue click here.