A MEMORIAL plaque has been unveiled to the victims of Weymouth's worst sea disaster, 200 years ago.

A group of more than 25 divers and marine archaeologists watched the unveiling on the Stone Pier, near the Nothe Fort, before taking two boats out to the site of the wreck of the Earl of Abergavenny.

The commemorations were held to mark the 200th anniversary of the sinking of the ship on February 5, 1805, when more than 250 people died. Lifeboat coxswain Andrew Sargent, who unveiled the plaque, said that many more may have died as families of those on board were not counted.

The lifeboat Ernest and Mable, and private boat Snapper, took guests out to the site of the wreck in Weymouth Bay where a short service was held and a wreath dropped into the sea after a two-minute silence.

Marine archaeologist Ed Cumming, who organised the ceremony, said: "It was good to spend two minutes just contemplating what happened.

"The fact that so many people died within sight of land is quite poignant.

"When you come out here to dive on the wreck you have an objective and you don't really think about it.

"It makes you appreciate the work of the lifeboat and we were very grateful for the time and effort the crew gave to help us.

"There were hundreds of people who clung to the masts but died due to the cold and fatigue because no one could rescue them."

The ceremony was conducted by Cannon Keith Hugo, the rector of All Saints' Church in Wyke Regis, where 80 of the dead are buried in the graveyard.

Later in the evening the commemorations continued at All Saints with a production called Salt Upon The Shore with proceeds from the sale of programmes going towards the tsunami appeal.

The Earl of Abergavenny foundered just a few days into its voyage to India and China when the ship struck the Shambles bank off Portland and ran aground.

After five hours the ship, which was commanded by John Wordsworth, brother of the poet William, freed itself and made for Weymouth port only to sink a mile-and-a-half from the shore with its masts still sticking out of the water.

The fully-laden 1,400-ton vessel was bound for India and China carrying supplies that would have brought a fortune to its commander John Wordsworth.

An exhibition on the disaster will open on March 21 at Weymouth Museum and a service on April 13 will install a commemorative plaque at All Saints Church.

Mr Cummings hopes to install a similar plaque at Portland Bill.