Goa Remembers the 1901 Mandovi River Tragedy: A Community United in Prayer and Memory

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As the sun dipped below the horizon and cast a warm glow over the still waters of the Mandovi River, Goans gathered in quiet reflection to remember one of the most tragic events in the state’s maritime history—the capsizing of the motorised launch “Goa” on December 3, 1901. The evening commemoration unfolded near both the Betim and Panjim ferry jetties, where residents, students, historians, and cultural enthusiasts assembled for a solemn litany that honoured the 81 victims whose lives were lost that morning more than a century ago. Organised by Festakar Marius Fernandes and Clube Festakar, the gathering began at 6:00 p.m., blending prayers and hymns with a sense of collective memory. Attendees crossed the river by ferry, moving from Betim to Panaji, symbolically echoing the ill-fated journey taken by the passengers of the launch “Goa” over a century earlier. Their arrival at the Memorial Cross in Panaji deepened the emotional resonance of the evening as the litany continued at the historic monument.

The tragedy itself occurred at around 7:00 a.m. on December 3, 1901, when the overcrowded vessel, carrying between 160 and 170 passengers, capsized mid-crossing. Many onboard were dressed in their Sunday best and were on their way to Old Goa for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. The sudden disaster claimed 81 lives—men, women, and children—marking a sorrowful moment that left a lasting imprint on Goa’s collective conscience. Rescue efforts extended over four days, with local sailors and the naval gunboat “Mandovy” aiding in the recovery of victims, underscoring the magnitude of the loss and the grief that enveloped the community.

Three years later, on December 3, 1904, two memorial crosses were erected—one at Panaji and one at Betim—built by the Goan diaspora in Aden, Yemen, as a testament to their solidarity with their homeland. These stone crosses stand today as enduring symbols of remembrance, urging passersby to pause and pray for the souls of those lost in the tragedy. During the ceremony, historian Prajal Shakardande reflected on the ongoing significance of preserving the memory of the disaster, describing it as a living lesson in community responsibility and the consequences of neglecting safety. Festakar Marius Fernandes emphasized the importance of integrating such historical events into school curricula to ensure that younger generations understand both the tragedy and the resilience embedded in Goa’s past. Co-ordinator Prakash Kamat added that remembering the victims ensures that the lessons of history continue to resonate with future generations.

As the litany came to an end, Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas offered prayers at the Memorial Cross near the jetty. Candles flickered in the evening breeze, and floral tributes were placed in honour of the departed. The soft hymns drifting across the Mandovi created a poignant atmosphere—one that honoured the lives lost in 1901 and reaffirmed the community’s enduring promise to remember, reflect, and continue telling the story of the launch “Goa.”