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RNLB ''Mona'' (ON 775) was a Watson-Class lifeboat based at Broughty Ferry in Scotland, that capsized during a rescue attempt, with the loss of her entire crew of eight men. The Mona was built in 1935, and, in her time, saved 118 lives. == The loss of the Mona == At 0313 hours on 8 December 1959, the Mona was launched to assist the North Carr Lightship which was reported adrift in St Andrews Bay.〔http://www.broughtyferrylifeboat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=45〕 Weather conditions were exceptionally severe with a strong south-easterly gale and the Broughty Ferry Lifeboat was the only boat in the area able to launch. The Mona was seen clearing the Tay and heading south into St Andrews Bay. Her last radio message was at 4.48am, and after a helicopter search she was found capsized on Buddon Sands. Her crew of eight were all drowned. The North Carr reef is off the coast of Fife. The lightvessel, later replaced by a beacon, is now berthed at Victoria Dock, Dundee harbour. As The Mona was struggling to reach the North Carr, the Lightship's crew of six were able to drop their spare anchor. They were all rescued alive and well by a helicopter the next morning, 24 hours after the first call for help had gone out. The Mona disaster was the subject of an official investigation, in which the boat was described as having been 100% seaworthy at the time of the accident. According to a letter to the Dundee ''Evening Telegraph'', in January 2006, "Among some seamen, it was believed the vessel was tainted with evil, and they resolved to exorcise the boat in a 'viking ritual'". The Mona was taken to Cockenzie harbour on the river Forth in the dead of night, stripped of anything of value, chained to the sea wall, and burnt. The burning was done with the knowledge and permission of Lord Saltoun, the chairman of the Scottish Lifeboat Council. Questions were raised in the House of Commons about the destruction of a lifeboat built with public subscription. The incident was immortalised in song by Peggy Seeger entitled ''The Lifeboat Mona'', which is sung by The Dubliners, commemorating its great achievements and the hardships the crew endured. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「RNLB Mona (ON 775)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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