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 Irish Coastguard Snippets from Welsh Newspapers
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| Gaynor |
Posted on 01/04/2013 01:31
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 New Member  Posts: 9 Joined: 19/07/2009 |
http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3241284/ART69/irish%20coastguard Evening Express 11 January 1894 (First Edition) SAVED BY COASTGUARD. Crew of the Watney Lose their Vessel on the Irish Coast. The Freeman's Journal reports the wreck of the steamer Watney, for Whitehaven with coals, which went ashore near Balbriggan on Tuesday night. The crew of seven men and four fishermen, who were on board were rescued by the coastguard. http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3016139/ART19/irish%20coastguard Cardigan Observer, and General Advertiser For the Counties of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Pembroke 9 November 1878 COLLISION IN THE IRISH CHANNEL. Loss OF A COASTGUARD CUTTER. A sad disaster has happened in the Irish Channel. A collision occurred off the Tuskar, between the National steamer Helvetia and the Admiralty cutter Fanny, resulting in the loss of the latter and seventeen of her crew, including the chief officer commanding, The Helvetia, which was on a voyage from Liverpool to New York, called into Queenstown and landed seven of the survivors. The Fanny, with a crew of twenty four, all told, left Queenstown for Dublin, being in command of chief officer Grete. She called at several coastguard stations on the way for the purpose of de- livering stores, and was off the Tuskar about three o'clock. There was a strong wind from the N.N.E., with a heavy sea, but the weather was clear. About half- past three, to the westward of the Tuskar, and when the Fanny was on the port tack, carrying a reefed mainsail, the Helvetia struck her at the port main runner, abaft the main beam, and cut her to the water's edge. Scarcely, had two minutes elapsed before the cutter went down. Several of the men rushed in the rigging, including those whose watch was below, and who came on deck in their night-dress, and as the Fanny went down by the bow they jumped to the bows of the Helvetia. In this way seven of the poor fellows were saved, and it is a noteworthy fact that of this number five belonged to the watch below, only two of the deck watch having been saved. Five others had also endeavoured to scramble over the bows of the Helvetia, three having been seen holding on by a rope, but they fell into the water before assistance reached them, and were seen no more. No time was lost by those in. charge of the steamer in giving assistance. BuOys and ropes were thrown overboard and two boats were lowered with all possibleepeed. Notwithstanding all their efforts, not one man was picked out of the water. The steamer remained at the scene of disaster until day- light, and, notwithstanding a careful search, not a vestige of the wreck or of the buoys which had been cast out could be seen. The Helvetia then resumed her voyage to Queenstown, and on arrival there landed the survivors, who had been provided with comforts and clothing on board. The shipwrecked men were at once transferred to the guardship Revenge at Queens- town. The following is the official statement of Captain Thompson, of the Helvetia: October 31, 3.25 a.m., passed Tuskar, wind N.N.E., force about 8. Strong sea; squally; ship's head S.W. by W., 1/4 W. 3.38 a.m., Tuskar bearing N.E. by N., say three miles. Observed a red light about one point on the starboard bow; stopped the engines. The captain, on the bridge at the time, ordered the helm to be put hard over to port, which was done instantly, when we observed a green light. Reversed the helm to hard over to starboard. Before our ship could answer the helm we collided, striking her under the bow; and passed over her. Hove life-guoys overboard, with Holmes's patent fast to them.' Lowered^No. 2 quarter-boat in charge of third officer and six men. Pulled all round where we thought the wreck would be. After some time the boat returned could see nothing. Hoisted tie boat up, and kept dodging about until daylight, when we had a good look and search all round, and Could see nothing. At 7 15 a.m. we proceeded to Queenstown." Gaynor
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