Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 20231223 | April 1895. Lady Theresa Londonderry is the foremost political influencer of her day, holding court for part of the year at Mount Stewart house on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. While she brings her powerful personal influence to bear on the aristocracy and politicians of the day, her servants create dazzling social events to entrance her guests. Then, as a treat for the most senior servants of her household, she lends out her personal sailing boat for a picnic on one of the islands in the lough. But the boat is never seen again and eight people are missing – presumed drowned. They are people who have struggled hard to ascend the Victorian social ladder. Head cook, Eliza Taunt, comes from difficult family circumstances but works her way up from kitchen maid to be Theresa's right hand woman when it comes to entertaining. House steward, Joseph Grainge, grew up in poverty but has ended up being in charge of all the Londonderry properties. These people and others on the boat show the talent and tenacity of the servants of the high Victorian era. They have come from humble origins to make it to the top of their professions. On the 11th of April, Theresa and family go to Belfast where she opens an exhibition showcasing the city's industrial achievements. Meanwhile, the servants set off in her twenty foot long boat, helmed by a local boatman. For Theresa, this carefully assembled team behind her success is soon gone for ever. 1895. Eight people are lost when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough. How does it happen? 1895. Eight people are lost when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough - senior servants of political influencer Lady Theresa Londonderry. How does it happen and what does she do next? | |
| 02 | 20231230 | 20240104 (RU) | April 1895. Lady Theresa Londonderry is the foremost political influencer of her day, holding court for part of the year at Mount Stewart house on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. While she brings her powerful personal influence to bear on the aristocracy and politicians of the day, her servants create dazzling social events to entrance her guests. Then, as a treat for the most senior servants of her household, she lends out her personal sailing boat for a picnic on one of the islands in the Lough. But the boat is never seen again and eight people are missing – presumed drowned. To try and unravel this mystery, we retrace the route of the boat that day in 1895, giving us a real sense of the experiences of those onboard. They are people who have struggled hard to ascend the Victorian social ladder. Working for Theresa gives status to boatman William Hagan who, assisted by his 17 year old son, is the most respected skipper on the lough. Housekeeper, Elizabeth Dougal, has switched jobs many times to improve her prospects – now she has landed a forever job with the Londonderrys. William Rowe was born in rural Somerset but went to London in his teens to seek his fortune before becoming valet to Lord Londonderry. These people and others on the boat have come from humble origins to make it to the top of their professions. After the boat is lost, Theresa and her husband refer to these servants as “friends ?. But can this really be possible in an age marked so deeply by social inequality? Incredibly, Theresa organises another boat trip for herself out on the lough to “break the ice ? after the disaster. Is she heartless? Or is this evidence of how driven she is as a person to let nothing stop her pursuing her political career? 1895. Eight people are lost when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough. How does it happen? 1895. Eight people are lost when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough - senior servants of political influencer Lady Theresa Londonderry. How does it happen and what does she do next? |
| 02 | 20240106 | 20240111 (RU) | April 1895. Lady Theresa Londonderry is the foremost political influencer of her day, holding court for part of the year at Mount Stewart house on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. While she brings her powerful personal influence to bear on the aristocracy and politicians of the day, her servants create dazzling social events to entrance her guests. Then, as a treat for the most senior servants of her household, she lends out her personal sailing boat for a picnic on one of the islands in the Lough. But the boat is never seen again and eight people are missing – presumed drowned. Bodies begin to be washed up. First Theresa's house steward, Joseph Grainge, then local boatman, William Hagan. Next, is Jane Cheshire, lady's maid to Lady Kathleen Cole, daughter of Lord Enniskillen. Jane's parents are both dead and no one comes to collect her body – yet the people of Portaferry rally round when she is buried. Finally, William Start, valet to Lord Enniskillen, is found leaving four bodies unrecovered. Personal tragedy does not derail someone as driven as Theresa for long – not even the death of her youngest son in 1899. Then, in 1903 Mount Stewart enjoys its finest hour with a royal visit. However, the world is changing and despite all Theresa's efforts, Home Rule in Ireland is inevitable. Like the servants lost on Strangford Lough, she cannot escape her fate and when her husband dies, her title, grand houses and her servants pass to her son and his wife. But what causes the loss of her boat in 1895? A survey of the lough with state of the art technology fails to find the wreck. A consideration of the different factors at work that day is inconclusive but raises a question: did the strict social hierarchies of the day seal the fate of all onboard? 1895. Eight people are lost when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough. How does it happen? 1895. Eight people die when a boat sinks on Strangford Lough - senior servants of political influencer Lady Theresa Londonderry. How does it happen? And what does she do next? |