Poaching Steam Trawlers.
Clever Capture off Clogherhead. 1902. On Wednesday morning last the steam trawler ‘Hibernia’, one of the Anchor Line trawlers, working for the Dublin Steam Trawling Co., Captain Smith, was captured two miles off Clogherhead poaching on the line fishermens grounds, by the Clogherhead Coastguards. These latter were disguised as fishermen, and went out in a yawl and thus managed to come up with the ‘Hibernia’. She had about £100 worth of fish on board, more than the Clogher fishermen had caught in the whole season, and a lot of small fry. The owners will of course be prosecuted in due course. A continuance of such vigilance will soon rid the Louth coast of these marauders, who not only sweep the ground clear of fish, but destroy the gear of the line fishermen. (2)
Following the Treaty in 1922 the United Kingdom retained control over Irish waters. The Irish Government had responsibility to police fisheries and customs. To this end the Coastal and Marine Service was set up in 1923. Although the Service was disbanded in 1924 the unarmed MURICHU (EX HELGA) continued fishery protection duties for the Department of Fisheries patrolling the three miles of Irish territorial waters. In 1936 the MURICHU was armed to make her more effective on patrols. In 1938, when the waters and ports (Bere Haven, Lough Swilly and Cork Harbour) were handed over to the Irish Government, she was joined by the FORT RANNOCH. The British Royal Navy withdrew from Cork Harbour on 11 July 1938. The waters of Ireland were now the full responsibility of the Irish Government.
MURICHU (EX HELGA)
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Wit & Wisdom of Ireland.
On Children.
Youth is a wonderful thing ; what a crime to waste it on children. G.B. Shaw
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| Coming in April Edition Another Mystery Man.
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Dear Friend,Welcome to the March edition of "The Coastguard Cutter". The "Helga"
Part of the duties of the Coastguards was to monitor fishing catches and check for illegal fishing. A little deception was needed on occasion to bring a quarry to heel. The fishery protection vessel "Helga" was used during the Easter Rebellion of 1916 to shell the G.P.O. & Liberty Hall in Dublin where the rebels had set up the major command posts. In 1918 "Helga" sank a German U-Boat with gun-fire off the Isle of Man. Enjoy,
Tony.
| Illegal Trawling off Clogher Head. (extract) 1901. (N.B. Due to much illegal trawling on the coast the Admiralty sent a fishery protection vessel to detect and detain vessels indulging in this activity. Tony)
On the 16th.December the ‘Helga’ which is the name of the cruiser, discovered the steam trawler ‘Hypatia’ of west Hartlepool, under the 3 mile limit off Clogherhead. The Captain of the cruiser boarded the trawler, took the name of the capt. and ordered the vessel off. The gunboat again fell in with the same trawler (with a different captain) on the 15th.January. On this occasion the trawler attempted to escape when signalled, but a shot across her bows had the effect of bringing her to. She was subsequently boarded, her trawl seized and landed at Clogher Head, where it was handed over to the custody of the Coastguards there.
At Termonfeckin Petty sessions on Wednesday William Bennett appeared to answer the summons.
Denis Murphy, Chief Coastguard Officer, when examined said that he had seen the trawler fishing, but owing to the high seas running, he could not get to her to board her. The steam trawler was ruining the fishing at Clogher Head. He saw them frequently trawling, but it was impossible to catch them. The bench made the order forfeiting the net, and directing it to be sold. (1)
| Coast Fisheries Inquiry. (extract) 1902. John Smith, Chief Boatman in charge of the Coastguards at Clogherhead, deposed that ; He had been in that position for the last two months. He had the record kept by his predecessor from March 1887 to the end of last year – List of tonnage of fish caught each year.- caught by lines. He said we judge the weight of the fish, we can come very close to it – during my time there has always been a Coastguard about when the fish are landed – the boats land close to the station. I have not seen a steam trawler within the limit since I came to the station. Robert Tout, coastguard at Dunany and Annagassan, deposed he forwarded the records of the catches of fish to the fisheries Board. The amount of fish caught each year was decreasing as the number of fishing boats were decreasing. The fishermen could not get fish. He had seen six or seven off Dunany at a time, and they were outside the three mile limit. (3)
Sudden Death. 1905.  On Tuesday night, Frances Donovan, wife of a Coastguard stationed at Gyle’s Quay, took suddenly ill at her confinement and was attended by Mrs. Bairns, Chief Officer’s wife. She became seriously ill after giving birth to a baby and despite the careful nursing of those who attended on her, expired after an hours illness. At the inquest held on Wednesday Dr. Finegan deposed that death was due to an embolism. The jury returned a verdict accordingly, and added that there was no blame attached to those who attended upon deceased, as everything that possibly be done was done for her. (4)
Enda MacMahon sent me the following from The Ennis Chronicle of 1831. Saturday 8 October 1831 (Died) in Galway aged 18 years, Eliza, only daughter of Lieutenant Hunter, Coast Guard Service.
Wednesday 26 October 1831. James French of the Coast Guard Service was killed in Newport on last Thursday by the accidental discharge of his own carbine while stealing upon an otter.
Research and new books.
The new site for the Irish Coast Guard is at the Department of Transport;
http://www.transport.gov.ie/irish+coast+guard+ircg/
A welcome and much needed Source. Have you tried looking for your ancestors on line at National Archives[http://www.nationalarchives.ie/]. On inserting a name in the Registers of Seamen's Services it will search and display Official Number, Place and Date of Birth, plus Catalogue Reference. Details may be purchased on site. Joint website of The National Archives, Ireland and The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland - www.archivesns.net National Archives UK - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
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Posted by Tony
on June 17 2007
Henry Bray, Chief Officer, Gr...[6245]
