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Sixty years ago, a tragic boating accident claimed the lives of an entire family and several others, leaving a lasting impact on those connected to the disaster. Fourteen-year-old Peter Watts was the sole survivor from his immediate family when the Prince of Wales pleasure boat sank in the Mawddach Estuary, Gwynedd, on 22 July 1966. Alongside Peter’s mother Doreen, father Frederick George, brother David aged 10, and nine-year-old sister Angela, 10 other passengers lost their lives in the incident. Recently, a memorial was unveiled to honor the 15 victims, providing a place of remembrance for all affected.
Peter recalls that unlike his family, he chose not to board the boat that day. Staying behind in the seaside town of Barmouth where they were lodging, he waited anxiously as hours passed without any sign of his relatives returning. The ferry was meant to take them on an eight-mile journey along the estuary to the George III Hotel at Penmaenpool. However, the boat was swept by the tide into the Penmaenpool toll bridge, causing it to collide and throw the 42 passengers into the water. Although local residents quickly responded and rescued 27 people, Peter’s brother, sister, and two other children were among the 15 victims who drowned.
The investigation that followed revealed multiple safety violations: the boat was overloaded with six extra passengers beyond its licensed capacity of 36, and it lacked the required two crew members, having only the 73-year-old skipper Edward Llewelyn on board. The vessel was also found to be deficient in adequate life-saving equipment, with lifebelts missing and buoyancy aids improperly stored. While the skipper was deemed negligent by the Board of Trade inquiry and fined £100 towards inquiry costs, no prosecutions were made. Nevertheless, changes were enacted to laws relating to passenger limits and insurance regulations for pleasure boats following this tragedy.
For Peter Watts, the disaster left an indelible impression and a strong emotional connection to the place where he lost his family. Over the years, he made a point of returning to the estuary whenever possible, drawn to the site of the calamity. The unveiling of the memorial plaque on the sixtieth anniversary provided a deeply meaningful moment. Reflecting on the ceremony, Peter said, “Those 15 people – I didn’t want them to be forgotten. Having their names there – that’s what I wanted.” This tribute ensures the memories of those lost remain alive for generations to come
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