 |
||
| The name Larne derives from Latharna which was a small fuedal territory that reached up the coast to Glenarm. The site has always been an important landing place and harbour, this is evident by it being mentioned and marked on a map by the Greek astrologer and geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. The Vikings who raided and settled parts of Ireland also left evidence of their visits to the area, the early name for the lough was ‘Wulsrichefiord’ a Norse name which later changed to Olderfleet. The castle of the same name was built by the Bissett family in the 13th century and is located across the lough on the Islandmagee side.
The port really developed from the mid 1800s when it was bought by James Chaine who invested significantly into its modernisation. By 1875 he had establiished a regular ferry service to the mainland and a regular trans Atlantic service between Glasgow, Larne and New York, this ran until 1889. James Chaine died at the age of 44 years from pneumonia To remember him the people of Larne raised funds through public subscription and built the wonderful Chaine Memorial Tower which stands at the entrance to the harbour. Close by is another memorial to one of the worst shipping tragedies of recent times in the United Kingdom. This occurred on 31st January 1953 when the Princess Victoria, a roll on, roll off car ferry built in 1947 sank during horrendous seas with the loss of 133 people. The ship had put to sea during a gale warning, though none could have predicted the conditions, the winds in parts of Ireland, Scotland and England reached 100mph. After clearing the relatived shelter of Loch Ryan the rear doors were damaged by heavy seas and she started taking on water and developed a list, after losing power she drifted and eventually sank in big seas. Fifty three people survived but none of the officers, the radio operator was awarded the George Cross and the Captain the George Medal, both posthumously for staying at their posts. Larne's link with emigration to America is commemorated by a sculpture in Curran Park created by Ed Barton. This depicts a family going to board an emigrant ship. The first ship to sail from Larne was the 'Friends Goodwill' which left in May of 1717 bound for Boston. This was part of an early and significant migration of mainly Ulster Presbyterians to the then new world. Emigration continued during the 1700s to New York, Philadelphia and Charlestown. These men and women settled the frontiers of America, fought in the Indian wars and led the revolution for American freedom. One of the last emigrant ships to sail from Larne, the State of Louisiana sank after hitting the Maidens Rocks, off Larne, in 1878. |