Staff fail to return and the boat can't be found
Some concern was raised when the picnic party did not return on the Thursday evening. Access to the jetty was not possible later in the day due to low tide, so the hope was that the group had become stranded and would return on the next high tide, early on Friday morning (12 April). When they failed to return the worst was feared and search teams were deployed on land and sea to locate the missing boat and its party. A few items were recovered from around the Lough, including an oar (now displayed at Mount Stewart as part of the exhibition, discovered thanks to Frank Weir and family), a picnic basket and a hat, but the boat was never found, despite attempts to locate it with drag lines.
Eight people lose their lives on Strangford Lough
Easter Saturday dawned with the certainty that the whole party was lost, no-one had been found around the shores or on the many islands and pladdies in Strangford Lough. Mr Newton Apperley, the 6th Marquess’ private secretary arrived, having been summoned from his office and home in Durham. He had to manage the loss of the core of his senior staff - House Steward, Housekeeper and Cook, together with the Marquess’ valet. Mr Apperley was also responsible for meeting family members who arrived at Mount Stewart during the weekend. The event was reported widely in the national press and prompted a telegram of concern from Queen Victoria to Lord Londonderry.
A Memorial Service was held in the Chapel at Mount Stewart on Sunday 21 April, conducted by the Reverend Oliver Goldsmith, incumbent of Greyabbey Church of Ireland with responsibility for the household chapel.
Eventually, four bodies were recovered albeit sometime after the event during June-August of 1895.
Acknowledgements
The research team and Mount Stewart would like to extend their thanks to the many people who have assisted with this research here.