A PETITION was launched today calling on the Government to officially recognise the wreck site of Britain's worst maritime disaster.
The Clyde-built Lancastria was carrying about 9000 troops when it was sunk by German bombers off the coast of France in 1940 during a mass evacuation. About 4000 people died.
The wreck now lies about five miles from the French coastal town of St Nazaire in about 20 metres of water, and campaigners have raised concerns in recent years about divers intruding on the site.
Now the Lancastria Association of Scotland, which is behind the petition, is demanding that the Government recognises the wreck as an official maritime war grave. Members of the association from Britain, France, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand are expected to sign the petition.
---- INDEX REFERENCES ----
INDUSTRY: (Resorts (1RE44))
REGION: (Europe (1EU83); Oceania (1OC40); France (1FR23); Western Europe (1WE41))
Language: EN
OTHER INDEXING: (LANCASTRIA ASSOCIATION OF SCOTLAND; PETITION) (Members; Ministers)
EDITION: Home
Word Count: 159 8/21/06 EVNGNWSCOT 3 END OF DOCUMENT
