CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE 233 persons who lost their lives when the MV Christena went down on August 1, 1970, paid the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of the island of Nevis.
This is according to Pastor Eric Maynard who, on Saturday, August 1, 2009, delivered the sermon on the anniversary of the greatest disaster to affect the Federation.
Speaking at the simple commemoration ceremony at the Christena Memorial on Samuel Hunkins Drive, Pastor Maynard said that 39 years later Nevisians are living better because of the disaster. According to Pastor Maynard, Nevisians had to travel to St. Kitts to get “almost anything done”.
“On that particular day, some simply went to get a rubber stamp on a birth certificate or passport.”
Reiterating that Nevis has come a long way since those days, Pastor Maynard pleaded with Nevisians to “never let our children forget our history”.
He recalled that the accident was like a “bad dream” and preceded a time of trouble such as never been seen before or after. Pastor Maynard however said that in the days following the many funerals, the people of Nevis turned to the God of Jacob “who is a very pleasant help in our time of trouble”.
Also speaking on Saturday was Premier Joseph Parry who encouraged a time of reflection for the victims. He made special mention of Samuel Sweeney and ‘Jim Parks”, who he described as two fine young actors and who paved the way for what is now known as Culturama.
Saturday’s ceremony was also attended by Deputy Governor General Eustace John; Speaker of the Nevis Island Administration the Hon. Marjorie Morton; ministers of government, the Hons. Hensley Daniel, Dwight Cozier, Robelto Hector and Carlisle Powell; Leader of the Nevis Island Opposition the Hon. Vance Amory; family members of some of the victims and members of the public.
Premier Parry, Morton and family members of the fallen were among those laying wreaths at the monument at the end of the ceremony.
