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Memorial built by Egill Ólafsson and Kristinn Thor Egilsson in 1998 at Hnjotur to honour the sailors who lost their lives in the seas around Látrabjarg and westernmost cliffs and fjords of Iceland in the twentieth century, as well as the brave locals who selflessly battled to save them from the clutches of the cold seas. Some seamen did survive their ordeal, but many perished in the unforgiving waters, or at the foot of the sea cliffs.
The combination of simple, respectful memorial plaques to crews from Fleetwood, Grimsby, Hull and other UK fishing ports (as well as unknown ships ) is strikingly moving. Short descriptions on each plaque outline the sobering story of each trawler and its fate, reminding visitors just how perilous a journey these fisherman undertook in order to bring home a catch for people like me.
Standing here at 1.30 in the morning, at the very western extremes of Europe, under a almost psychedelic multi-hued sunrise as lenticular clouds formed in the distance, was an intensely emotive experience which will stay with me for many years. Thought-provoking, and yet extremely peaceful and calm. Truly extraordinary.
[This is one of the panoramas from my June 2013 trip to Iceland. You can explore the other views of this incredible country here. https://www.360cities.net/sets/iceland-june-2013 ]