Remembering Michael Hagan - Royal Naval Reserve

Remembering today Michael Hagan - 1955ST - Royal Naval Reserve serving on board H.M.S "Neptunian", lived Eden Carrickfergus.  Lost at Sea 27th October 1918 aged 32.  

Michael was born in Greenore, Co Louth in 1886 the son of James and Bridget Hagan.  He married Dora Donnelly at St Anne’s Church of Ireland Belfast on 26 December 1913 and together they moved to Eden and had two sons. Michael and his family became well known in the local area and were active members of Carrickfergus Congregational Church.

During the war Michael served as a trimmer with the Royal Naval Reserve enlisting in March 1915.  Late in the war he was serving on board HMS “Neptunian”, a fishing trawler that had been hired by the Royal Naval Reserve to carry out minesweeping duties.  The British steam trawler was built in 1913 by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. and owned at the time by East Riding Steam & Fish, and based out of Larne.  On 27 October 1918 “Neptunian” sank 5 miles off Altacarry Lighthouse, Rathin Island, following a collision with the HM trawler “Lord Lister”.  Eight survivors were picked up by “Lord Lister” and landed at Londonderry; sadly seven men perished, including Michael Hagan.  His body was never recovered from the sea and he is forever remembered on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial