James Higgins

4th April 1937 The loss of the SS Alder was another shipping tragedy which took place in Carlingford Lough.  Kilkeel man Robert Campbell and his wife Kate were lost as a result, along with four other crew members. Captain Robert Campbell and his wife Kate Campbell. On board the Alder were; Captain Robert Campbell, his […]

1923-1933 Stage 2: Construction The tender was awarded to Messers S. Pearson and Sons in 1923 to construct the Silent Valley; an impounding reservoir with a capacity of 3000 million gallons. Lord Carson cut the first sod on 10 October and within weeks Watertown began to form. Cutting of the first sod by Lord Carson […]

The Silent Valley Scheme was drawn up, consisting of three stages due to the ever increasing demand for water. The Mournes were recommended to supply Belfast with water due to the quantity of water available and its purity. Frederick William McCullough, Chief Engineer to Belfast City and District Water Commission designed the Silent Valley Reservoir […]