Penmaenpool disaster remembered 50 years on

Local people joined in the rescue effort, which helped save over 25 lives. Credit: ITV Archive National Library of Wales

A remembrance service will be held by Dolgellau town council on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Penmaenpool disaster.

15 people, including four children, drowned when the pleasure boat the Prince of Wales hit a bridge and sank there in 1966.

It was the biggest loss of life involving a pleasure ship in north Wales and led to the Government changing the laws on pleasure boat trips.

At the time a three day formal investigation hearing was critical of the boat's skipper, Edward Jones, because the Prince of Wales was overloaded and undermanned.

Following the investigation neither the boat owners or Jones were prosecuted, but had to pay towards the inquiry costs.

Local people joined in the rescue effort, which helped save over 25 lives. Credit: ITV Archive National Library of Wales

As well as the service, Dolgellau town council will also set up a memorial fund to raise money for a permanent memorial near the site to remember both victims and the efforts of local people, who managed to save the lives of 25 others.