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 Edward Rourke of Howth
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| peterlawlorbansha |
Posted on 23/09/2008 12:37
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 New Member  Posts: 6 Joined: 23/09/2008 |
Not sure if I'm in the right place but I'm looking for information on my great grandfather Edward (or Ned)Rourke (or Rorke, O'Rourke etc.) He was born about 1863 and (I believe) received a silver medal for a rescue off Howth, County Dublin in 1897. I would appreciate any information you could share with me. Peter. Edited by peterlawlorbansha on 23/09/2008 12:38 |
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| willoughr |
Posted on 30/09/2008 21:50
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 Member  Posts: 46 Joined: 03/05/2007 |
Hi Peter, I am interested in your query and should be able to assist you with some information. I am working on a book on Irish lifesaving and this rescue features in it. The details are below for your information. All five men got the RNLI silver medal for their bravery. I would be delighted to hear any biographical details on your relative as I am trying to record such details in my book. If you have any information on the other rescuers I would be similarly interested, especially in Rickard as I have his medal. Do feel free to contact me via this site Regards Roger On 11 May 1897 off the Nose of Howth, Co Dublin, the Ringsend trawler Dodger sprang a leak and was taken in tow by the Howth hooker Storm King. The trawler began to sink immediately, so the hooker launched a boat with Mr Rickard and Mr Caulfield in it which took off the two man crew. Fouled by the trawler’s boom, the boat was dragged partly down leaving the four men struggling in the water. They regained the boat and righted her, but she was capsized three times by rough seas. Rickard and Caulfield, who were both powerful swimmers, helped the other three men as they struggled in the water. The Howth hooker Maymaid now came up and launched a boat manned by Messrs McLauglan, Kelly and Rourke and saved all four men. The RNLI voted its silver medal to the rescuers on 9 July 1897 (see Lloyds Weekly Newsletter, Sunday 11 July 1897, p. 6). Awards to George Caulfield, Thomas Rickard, Christy Kelly, James McLauglan and Edward Rourke. Some further (and slightly differing) details are given by the Freeman’s Journal which records the events under the headlines ‘Serious Sailing Accident off Howth; A Narrow Escape of Ringsend Fishermen; Exciting Scene’. The article notes how: ‘Last evening in a strong northerly breeze, the trawler Gipsy, 5 tons, of Ringsend, when making for Howth Harbour, sprang a leak and began to fill in Balscadden Bay, about a mile from the shore. Her crew, consisting of two old Ringsend fishermen named Rowden and Edwards, showed signals of distress and the lugger Storm King, of Howth, bore down on her and threw a line aboard for the purpose of towing her in. They had scarcely done so when the Gipsy commenced to sink, and the crew of the Storm King launched her small boat in charge of two men named George Caulfield and Tom Rickard, but just as they got alongside the Gipsy her mainsail swung over on top of them capsizing their boat as the Gipsy sank in deep water. All four men were now struggling in the water, and fortunately another lugger, the Maymaid, came on the scene, and lowering her boat picked up the four men in a very exhausted condition. On being brought ashore they were carried into the East Pier Light-house and attended to by Dr Myles, of Howth. Subsequently Mr Costello had the men conveyed to his hotel, where every possible comfort was administered, and all are considered now out of danger. The Gipsy is totally lost, and also the Storm King’s boat, the latter drifting onto the cliff rocks’ (Wednesday 12 May 1897; cf. Belfast News-Letter, Thursday 13 May 1897, p. 5). On Saturday 31 July 1897 the chairman of the Howth lifeboat committee, S Smallbridge, JP, presented all five winners with their RNLI silver medals, together with framed certificates and £2 each, at a crowded public meeting at the Harbour Office on Howth’s West Pier. The captains of the Storm King and May Maid were both awarded £1 each and reimbursed for the damaged boat and the loss of George Caulfield’s sea boots (Freeman’s Journal, Monday 2 August 1897, p. 5). Roger Willoughby
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| peterlawlorbansha |
Posted on 30/09/2008 23:26
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New Member Posts: 6 Joined: 23/09/2008 |
Roger, Thank you for your reply. I am at a very early stage of the investigation at the moment so I can tell you very little. I got this from the RNLI: Edward Rourke (born October 1861) was Bowman of the Howth LB from January 1898 until he was appointed 2nd Coxswain in September 1898. He retired in June 1930. He received a silver medal for a rescue on the 11th May 1897 - but the lifeboat was not involved. I also got his service record and I can tell you that he served on the James Stevens No7 lifeboat. A copy of his service record with this boat is attached. I don't know yet if this is a full or partial record but its all I got from the RNLI. I need to verify some biographical details with my Aunt and also see if I can track down where his medal and certificate are. I'll get back to you when I have more. Peter. |
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| peterlawlorbansha |
Posted on 06/10/2008 17:51
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New Member Posts: 6 Joined: 23/09/2008 |
Hi Roger, Sorry it took me so long to get back. I have some files I'd like to attach but can't seem to do it. I could mail them to you if you like. First is a copy of the 1901 Census index for Howth. I believe its Edward Rourke, age 40 you are looking for. Second is a list of boats in Howth Harbour. I'm wondering is the Mary Maid listed here the same as the Maymaid in the rescue accounts? Do you have the names of the Captains mentioned in the account above? Peter. p.s. The files are jpeg so I can figure out why they won't attach Edited by peterlawlorbansha on 07/10/2008 14:47 |
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| peterlawlorbansha |
Posted on 28/11/2008 22:00
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New Member Posts: 6 Joined: 23/09/2008 |
Hi again Roger, I can confirm that the Edward Rourke I have been tracing is indeed the same as reported in the rescue above. I have his details from the 1901 and 1911 Census. Haven't been able to track down his medal yet but I'm getting close. I may also have Census records for Thomas Rickard. Please let me know if you are interested in receiving further details. Best wishes, Peter. |
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| willoughr |
Posted on 10/01/2009 19:09
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Member Posts: 46 Joined: 03/05/2007 |
Hi Peter, To confuse matters a little, I have details of a younger Edward Rourke than your 1860 man, this one born about 1876. These details pertain to another Howth rescue. Any thoughts? Roger Edward Rourke was himself the subject of a rescue. At 4.40pm on 18 September 1892 Rourke, then a 16 year old Howth fisherboy, was one of five boys who were rowing in a boat in Howth harbour. The boat capsized and two of the boys were drowned, while another swam ashore. Rourke would have undoubtedly drowned had not Robert McConkey (14), from Howth, who had also been in the boat, swam to another small boat which was about 20 yards away and returned with it to Rourke. He then held him up with difficulty until another boat came to their assistance. This rescue was brought to the attention of the RHS by the Dublin coroner, F J Davys. The Society approved the award of its Testimonial on Vellum to McConkey at its committee meeting on 15 November 1892 and sent it to the coroner on 1 December 1892 for him to arrange its presentation (RHS case no. 26207). Roger Willoughby
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