THE LOLAIRE
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The vessel was carrying nearly 300 passengers, many returning from fighting in the First World War, to Stornoway on the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
Most of those who boarded the Lolaire at Kyle on the mainland for the five or six hour crossing were Royal Navy ratings.
The vessel set off around 8pm on Hogmanay, 1918.
There were no problems with the weather while crossing the Minch but rough seas were experienced on the final stretch into Stornoway.
It is believed the ship veered slightly off course, possibly to give way to another vessel approaching the harbour.
The Admiralty yacht smashed into the treacherous Beasts of Holm rocks a short distance from the safety of the town's harbour, tilted to starboard and started sinking.
Sixty men jumped overboard to try to make it the short distance to shore but were killed when the waves dashed them against the rocks. Many others drowned when the two starboard lifeboats that had been launched were swamped.
Only 75 people survived, 34 of them by dragging themselves along a rope that one of the sailors had managed to get ashore.
Of the 205 who drowned, many were returning to friends and family for the first time in more than four years since enlisting.
A monument to the victims of the tragedy stands on the hill overlooking the rocks.
