GEORGE TOWN: It was a solemn morning at the 110th-anniversary ceremony of the sinking of the Russian Navy ship Zhemchug (Pearl) during the Battle of Penang in World War I.
The annual ceremony at the Western Road Cemetery here on Tuesday (Oct 15) was special this year, graced by representatives from the Russian Navy's Pacific fleet.
The naval personnel were seen saluting their fallen countrymen as guests looked on.
The ceremony included prayers and the laying of flowers at the monument.
Russia’s Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov said this year's ceremony was special as the Russian Navy was in attendance for the first time in 20 years.
"The monument was built in 1940 and rebuilt in 1976. We now try to preserve it and there is a yearly ceremony.
"This time it is special because there are three Russian corvettes and a supply ship docked here in Penang," he said after the ceremony.
"The ship was part of the Allied Joint Task Force (including Britain, and France).
"It was (on a mission) to protect international trade lines when it was sunk," he said.
The incident resulted in the loss of 89 Russian sailors when the ship was attacked by the German cruiser SMS Emden.
The Battle of Penang broke out late at night on Oct 28, 1914 when the German ship drew up a short distance from the Zhemchug and sank it with torpedoes.
The stricken ship sank within a few minutes, leaving 82 Russian crewmen dead and over 120 injured, several later succumbing to their wounds.
Most of the fallen sailors were buried at the Western Road Cemetery, with some interred on Pulau Jerejak.
On Monday (Oct 15), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin confirmed that three Russian navy ships from the Pacific fleet were making a port call in Penang until Thursday (Oct 17).
Khaled said it is a common practice across the world for naval vessels to make temporary stops at various ports before continuing to other destinations.
