Sir, - I am researching an incident in the Irish Sea in 1875, when the British ironclad HMS Vanguard sank in thick fog after a collision with HMS Iron Duke. Two of my wife's great-grandfathers were aboard Vanguard. With a view to writing a book on the subject, I am trying to find out more about the officers and crew of the ships involved.
Vanguard had been stationed at what is now Dun Laoghaire for some time, so many of the crew's families will have been living in Ireland. I should be delighted to hear from any reader who has a family connection with Vanguard or Iron Duke, and who may have stories or family memories that they would be prepared to share.
Chris Thomas, 141 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1HY UK, England.