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20Dec
Author’s Note - The greater part of the following story was included in an earlier work, primarily concerned with the operations of German submarines in Irish waters during WWI. The subject matter was not considered ‘relevant’ to the main body of work and was deleted from the remainder of my book, U-boat Alley, published in […]
18Oct
By any comparison, Victorian hay-day of sail or today’s modern giants of the seas, the sailing barque, Bay of Bengal, three-masted, 260 feet long, built of ‘Government standard, best, best best iron’, to beyond Lloyd’s highest specification, was a large ship. Launched from the Fairfield Yard at Govan on the Clyde by the respected shipbuilder, […]
12Apr
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE OF THE EAST COAST An account of the harrowing loss of the emigrant ship, Pomona, 1859 ‘Arranged side by side, they lay locked in the sleep of death, and the lifeless, which a few hours past were lighted up with life and animation, had become sickening objects, from which the heart […]
9Aug
‘The Most Abandoned Villains of Wexford’ Some say it’s the deep sounding whoosh from the revolving blades of the enormous turbines at Carnsore Point, in county Wexford. But when they rest, others will offer; it’s the confusion of winds that can blow around this large expanse of low lands, a place of prolonged periods of […]
8Aug
When is a Wreck not a Wreck? An answer seems easy, but not always obvious. A ship that has been wrecked might be raised and then float again. It might sink again, immediately, or soon after – and declared a wreck once more. It may be repaired, and live out many more years afloat. Alternatively, […]
16Oct
Ostendse Compagnie The ongoing research and hunt for the remains of the ship ‘Count de Belgioioso’ is fascinating story on many levels. And more, it has been an exciting journey. As much as I would love to recount the whole story here, one that would deservingly fill many pages, it is therefore much too lengthy […]
14Oct
The Atlantic Gateway (Jim Phelan 1941) When ships crossed the channel between Ireland and England during WWI, they were attacked and sunk by German submarines. The loss of ships, Irish or not, with civilians, service men and women, was not only condemned by those considered to be ‘West Brits’, but anger and a sense of […]
3Oct
The story of the ‘Ouzel Galley’ is already out there – but is it one we can believe? Our tale will be a collection of the facts. It won’t rely on any novels or on the ramblings of members of a secret society, and will not claim to be the last word on the matter. […]
1Oct
‘West Britain’ It was Tuesday, the 31 day of August, 1785, and just a few miles south of Dublin city, the inhabitants of the grand harbor town of Kingston were sleeping soundly in their beds. A number HM ships of the line had arrived earlier in the week for naval exercises and shore leave had […]
28Sep
Not Alexandria – The Great South Wall? There were no constructed harbours in this part of Dublin Bay before the early 1800’s. Boats, small ones that is, landed on shale and sandy ground in front of where the wonderful little harbour of Sandycove is now situated. Similarly at Bullock, there was no constructed harbour but […]
