The Jomoro District Chief Executive, Mr. Sylvester Daddieh, has suggested to the chief and people of Half Assini to use Captain Richard Williams? date of death as their Anniversary.
This will replace their annual ?Soh! Soh! Doh? which is celebrated on December 24 to usher in the Christmas festivities because organizing it had become a financial burden on a few people in the community.
He made the suggestion during a public hearing on the Draft Jomoro District Medium Term Development Plan (DMTDP) 2014-2017.
The programme, organized by the District Assembly for Half Assini Area Council members was funded by Friends of the Nation (FoN), a non- governmental organization.
Mr. Daddieh said with financial challenges facing the Soh! Soh! Doh the Captain?s date of death is the alternative for their socio- economic development in future.
The late Capt Williams from the Wales was in- charge of Steel Screw Steamer (S.S Bakana) from Liverpool and died on August 28, 1913 when his vessel wrecked in Half Assini waters a day before.
He drowned while responding to invitation by a fellow captain of a steamer which was called to the wrecked scene for assistance.
His body was washed ashore near Half Assini on September 1, 1913, four days after the incident and buried in a bush as custom demanded for accident victims.
Due to fast springing up of houses in the town his grave came to the heart of the town which had been erected a tomb in the middle of the third street of the town during construction the town roads.
At the time of the wreck the vessel was on its 66th voyage and was bound home from Congo having sailed from Liverpool on May 29, 1913 and due back home on September 10, 1913.
GNA
