YOU state that there were 200 servicemen on the ill-fated vessel Iolaire and that all perished when she went aground on January 1, 1919 ("Salmond in tribute to Iolaire victims", The Herald, April 18).

This is incorrect. Although there was great confusion at Kyle of Lochalsh where the men boarded, it is generally accepted that there were 284 aboard when she sailed for Stornoway and 80 survived the grounding on the Beasts of Holm.

It is a tragedy, when spoken of, that the people of Lewis and Harris find difficult to comprehend to this day.

We must also remember the crew, of whom the four officers were lost but seven hands survived.

Iain Macdonald,

28 Albany Apartments,

Albany Street,

Oban.