Linden solemnly marked the 60th anniversary of the tragic Son Chapman incident with a memorial and wreath-laying ceremony despite adverse weather conditions.
The event, held at the memorial site in Christianburg on the Western bank of the Demerara River, honored the 43 lives lost when the wooden launch exploded during its journey from Georgetown to Linden in 1964.
The Son Chapman tragedy remains a poignant reminder of the unrest in the mining community during 1963-1964, described as one of the most horrific incidents of that period.
The ceremony also highlighted the ongoing efforts to identify two adults and three children who remain unnamed to this day.
Mayor Sharma Solomon of Linden emphasized the community’s commitment to memorializing the tragedy and ensuring that the memories of the 47 victims (43 known and 4 unknown) are never forgotten.
The ceremony was deeply significant with the presence of Harold Cummings, the lone survivor of the Son Chapman incident.
Originally from Berbice, Cummings shared his harrowing recollections of the event, where he assisted others in swimming away from the sinking vessel before being rescued himself.
He described the incident as horrific and emphasized the importance of remembering those who lost their lives.
Attendees included regional and municipal councilors, former regional leaders, and relatives of the victims, who participated in laying wreaths to honor the deceased.
Plans are already underway for next year’s memorial, ensuring that the legacy of the Son Chapman tragedy continues to be honored and remembered in Linden.