Sunday, 19 July 2009

Ferry has sailed

A very unremarkable occasion on any island, but a hugely momentous occasion this afternoon in Stornoway. It is Sunday 19 July 2009, the time 2.31pm. A crowd of several hundred have gathered outside the Calmac terminal, six lines of traffic have just driven on board the MV Isle of Lewis for the journey to Ullapool, as per timetable. The ropes are cast off, and as the vessel backs away from the pier, cheering, whistling, waving and shouting erupts. It persists for a full minute. After five minutes, the Isle of Lewis halts, then assumes a forward motion to head for sea. Another protracted cheer erupts spontaneously.

Hebrides News refers to a noisy crowd being present at the terminal. It was only noisy when the ferry cast off. Otherwise, it was a well-behaved, large group, quietly talking among each other. A group of church-goers sang Psalm 46 (God is our refuge and our strength) as passengers boarded the ferry, according to Hebrides News. By 2.30pm, they had disappeared.

It was a momentous and moving occasion, showing the relief felt by many that an oppression had been lifted. We can now travel if we want, and should that be on Sunday, there is the option of the ferry now. If anyone doesn't want to travel on Sunday, they don't have to. The choice is there.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Vehicles waiting to board the first Sunday ferry"]Vehicles waiting to board the first Sunday ferry[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Placard held aloft by island church-goers"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Crowd of onlookers at the ferry terminal"]Crowd of onlookers at the ferry terminal[/caption]

This video shows the MV Isle of Lewis pulling away from the quayside amidst a prolongued cheer from the assembled crowd.
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6 comments:

  1. pat19 July 2009 at 18:12

    Thanks for the video Arnish, its great to see
    history taking place.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JM19 July 2009 at 19:48

    god may have broken the engines on Friday, but God repaired them in time for the Sunday sailing! Praise be!

    ReplyDelete
  3. taddoe19 July 2009 at 20:27

    Thanks Arnish for the video---If the background noises are""noisy"" as someone stated,then that person would have been more than shocked if he/she had been at our local church this morning!! The minister who we had for five years is back for a holiday in the parish and leaves tomorrow so after the service there was an "aperitif"--loads of food and drink and LAUGHTER!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thelandlady19 July 2009 at 20:38

    do you think they will cheer for several Sundays in a row, Arnish?? how long before the novelty of being able to do what you would like on a Sunday will wear off I wonder?
    Could take a while...

    ReplyDelete
  5. taddoe19 July 2009 at 21:17

    No doubt like everything else,they'll get used to it and one day will ask,"how did we manage without"

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ferryman19 July 2009 at 21:27

    well that's that then.....
    back to real Life and chores etc...

    ReplyDelete

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