Islay
The American Monument at the Mull of Oa
July 2017
The American Monument stands on the Mull of Oa at the southwestern corner of Islay. The approximately 66-foot ( 20-meter) stone tower occupies a coastal cliff-top site about 427 feet (130 meters) above sea level. Commissioned by the American Red Cross in 1918 and designed by architect Robert James Walker, it was built in 1920 from local stone. Its tapering form evokes a watchtower or lighthouse.
The memorial commemorates American soldiers and sailors lost in two troopship disasters near Islay during the First World War. The SS Tuscania was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-77 on 5 February 1918 while transporting American troops to Europe. The HMS Otranto sank on 6 October 1918 after colliding with another troopship, the Kashmir, during a storm. The two disasters caused the deaths of approximately 550 American military personnel.
A large brass dedication plaque is surmounted by a bronze American eagle holding a wreath. A second plaque bears a tribute from President Woodrow Wilson.
Current Context
Historic Environment Scotland designated the monument a Category A listed building in 2018, recognizing its architectural and historical importance.
