| Author |
Message |
    
Iain Stuart Yardley
Member
Username: boz
Post Number: 1003
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 12:10 pm: | 
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Morning all,
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Dona Paz ferry disaster off Leyte Island in the Phillipines in 1987. An estimated 4,536 people were killed in the disaster but the toll may have been much higher. There were only 26 survivors.
Cheers,
Boz |
Michael H. Standart
Moderator
Username: mstandart
Post Number: 16220
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 4:30 am: |
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A very somber anniversary of what is likely the worst peacetime maritime casualty in history, and one that is almost forgotten.
Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
Equal Opportunity Curmudgeon
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Michael H. Standart
Moderator
Username: mstandart
Post Number: 16363
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 5:36 pm: |
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Supplemental to the above, Wikipedia's article on this is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do%C3%B1a_Paz
24 survivors out of over 4000 and mostly because everything happened so quickly that there wasn't even a ghost of a chance to launch lifeboats. Just a little food for thought for anyone who thinks lifeboats for all is a cure-all.
Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
Equal Opportunity Curmudgeon
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Jeff Brebner
Member
Username: wheeds
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:47 pm: |
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Someone really needs to do a book on this disaster and raise some public awareness. |
Michael H. Standart
Moderator
Username: mstandart
Post Number: 18636
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 4:20 am: |
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>>Someone really needs to do a book on this disaster and raise some public awareness.<<
You could always step up to the plate. Otherwise, I wouldn't bet on it happening. True but sad to say, not a lot of people in the Western world much cares about what happens in Asia. I would argue that they should, especially with an accident as horrifying as this one, but they don't.
Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
Equal Opportunity Curmudgeon
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Jeff Brebner
Member
Username: wheeds
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 9:15 pm: |
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It would be quite an undertaking. Distance, language barriers, the poor records available, probably not a whole lot of cooperation from the Philipino government... Still, it just seems like a story that needs to be better told.
I'd love to write a Shipwreck book some day, but I think I'd start with something easier and close to home! |
Michael H. Standart
Moderator
Username: mstandart
Post Number: 20654
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 3:55 am: |
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From The Inquirer.net:
Caltex cleared in ship collision
quote:MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court Thursday cleared a major oil company from any liability in the damage suit filed by victims of the collision between MV Doña Paz and oil tanker MT Vector in 1987 off Tablas Strait.
The sea tragedy took place in Dec. 20, 1987, leaving about 4,000 passengers and crew members dead.
More at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150569/Caltex-cleared-in-ship-collision
Comment: 21 years after the fact and the litigation was still going on.
Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
Equal Opportunity Curmudgeon
|
Monet B. Macariola
Member
Username: monet_macariola
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 12:24 pm: |
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Good day to all. I was browsing the web when I happened to get this site. Both my parents and my youngest sister who was only 14 yrs old were victims of that ill-fated ship. After more than 20 years the memories still lingers. It's really hard. This is is not surprising to me that Caltex was cleared of the case, because I know that Sulpicio Lines is to blame on everything. After Dona Paz, not one but several more ships of that shipping line, Sulpicio Lines, was involved in more sea accidents. Mind you, this shipping company is still in business. Sad to say. These are just thoughts from a grieving heart who'll never forget that very day. |
Iain Stuart Yardley
Member
Username: boz
Post Number: 1013
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 6:52 pm: |
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Thank you for sharing your very personal memories of the Dona Paz, Monet. It's very sad to hear of the loss of your family in this terrible disaster. It's Internet sites such as Encyclopedia Titanica that can give names to some of the thousands of people lost to the sea over the years. Their memory will never completely be gone as long as others remember them.
Cheers,
Boz
P.S. I'm remembering the Lockerbie disaster today twenty years ago. |
