AUGUST 13 – ON THE DAY OF THE SINKING OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN STEAM SHIP “BARON GAUTSCH”
A Laurel Wreath for Victims of Maritime Tragedy
To mark the 90th anniversary of the sinking of the Austro-Hungarian steam ship “Baron Gautsch”, the Tourist Association and the Town Authorities of Rovinj organised a press conference, a memorial dive to the shipwreck, and laying of a laurel wreath at the place in the sea where the unfortunate event took place.
Mr.
Dario Činić, Director of the Tourist Association of Rovinj, gave a commemorative
speech in which he reminded of the tragic fate of the ship, and its 240
passengers and 34 members of the crew who were lost in the depths of
the sea. Mr. Činić also encouraged giving importance to the place where
the ship sank, especially in the context of the ever more attractive
diving tourism. Head of the Istrian History Museum in Pula, Mr. Davor
Mandić, spoke of the origins and the history of the steam ship, as well
as of some artefacts and remnants from the “Baron Gautsch” that are exhibited
at the Museum. On behalf of the Town, the guests were greeted by Mr.
Davorin Flego, President of the Town Council. The press conference was
also attended by the representatives of the Port Authorities of Pula
and Rijeka, Ms. Dušica Radojčić from the Green Istria Association, and
Mr. Dražen Valerijev, Director of the Diver Sport Center.
A memorial dive to the shipwreck was also organised on this occasion. The steam ship “Baron Gautsch” had disappeared in the depths of the sea six nautical miles south-west of St. John's Lighthouse out in the open sea close to Rovinj. Dario Činić, Dušica Radojčić, and Dražen Valerijev had the honour to take to the sea a commemorative laurel wreath blessed by the Rovinj parish priest Milan Zgrabić. Laying of a laurel wreath to the shipwreck was an act of commemoration of the victims of the greatest maritime tragedy of the First World War in the Adriatic Sea.
