Welcome to the August edition of "The Coastguard Cutter".
 

Enjoy,
Tony.

 
Kingstown Regatta

August Trials

The Revenue Cruisers. Tuesday the fleet assembled at Kingstown went out on a short cruise, Sir Edward Blakeney, the Lieutenant General Commanding the Forces in Ireland embarked on board the ‘Shamrock’, Revenue brig at Kingstown, and proceeded with the Inspecting General of Coastguards, who got under weigh, with the squadron under his orders, consisting of the following vessels :- ‘Shamrock’ and ‘Prince of Wales’ (brigs). ‘Kite’, ‘Prince Albert’, ‘Royal George’, ‘Wickham’ (large cutters). ‘Swift’, ‘Wellington’, ‘Dolphin’, ‘Hawk’, ‘Chance’, ‘Racer’, and ‘Hamilton’. (smaller cutters) and the ‘Eliza’, ‘Jane’. and ‘Neptune’. (tenders). They formed two lines and shaped a course, with a light breeze to the southwards, returning in the same order to Kingstown about 5 o’clock in the afternoon.

There never were assembled a number of vessels in more perfect order and discipline, owing much to the zeal and efficiency of their Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Dombrain: and from what we have been enabled to learn, from their proceedings during the last weeks cruise, the ’Royal George’ had a slight advantage over the larger cutters of her class, but was closely pressed by the ‘Kite’, ‘Wickham’ and ‘Prince Albert’.

The ‘Shamrock’ maintained a decided advantage over her sister brig the ‘Prince of Wales’; and the beautiful appearance of the former reflects the greatest credit on Captain Keeling, her Commander. The ‘Chance’ maintained the high character she has already acquired beating everything opposed to her, with the exception of the four large cutters, above named, whose tonnage being nearly triple hers, rendered it impossible for her to cope with them, although only of 60 tons register, she beat everything opposed to her under 100 tons – and that not on one but of each day of trial: and to use the words of the Inspector general, ”in a manner that astonished the Fleet”. We must add that the arrival of this little vessel in Kingstown Harbour is always looked for by the amateurs on the pier as she affords them the greatest possible treat by the manner in which she is shot up to her moorings, whilst the cloud of white canvas she carries disappears in an instant, a manoeuvre, we must say, quite unequalled and, never attempted by any other vessel in the fleet.

This beautiful cutter was built by White of Cowes. The ‘Kite’ a great and deserved favourite on the Irish coast, commanded by as brave and honest seaman who ever trod a ships deck – Captain Burke – obtained an advantage on one days sailing. She, from age, might never be the fastest, but she is a sea boat that for hard service is fit to compare with any cutter carrying Her Majesty’s pennant. The fleet sailed on a cruise yesterday morning to the Isle of Man, and will return on Saturday to Kingstown. (1)

The Wicklow News Letter 22/07/1893