Write a commentThe talks on Newry and Mourne Maritime history, which complement the temporary exhibition “Faces from our Maritime Past”,
launched in February, concludes on Thursday 14th May at 8pm. Local maritime historian, Sean Patterson will give a talk titled “Newry Shipping Losses 1900 - 1942”
For a town the size of Newry it is hard to believe from 1900-1942, 19 ships from Newry were lost in the Irish Sea, four without trace and another three involving heavy loss of life. Losses included the Cloughmore in Lough Swilly in 1902, the Clonallon, which disappeared in 1904 on route from Swansea to Dublin with a cargo of coal, the Orior, which disappeared in March 1908 and the Upas, which foundered in a storm off Ballyhalbert in March 1915.
Bad weather led to a number of collisions between shipping in Carlingford Lough. In a fierce gale on 3rd November 1916 the SS Connemara, a passenger steamer, collided with the SS Retriever, a collier, with the loss of ninety-four lives. Other collisions involved the Pine and Olive in 1936 and the Alder and Lady Cavan in fog on 4th April 1937.
While most were lost as a result of bad weather, others may have been the victims of mines or submarines during wartime. Wartime incidents involving ships owned by Joseph Fisher & Sons Ltd include the Karri, which was severely damaged by a mine in the River Mersey in 1942, and the Privet and the Walnut. Both these colliers disappeared in the Irish Sea with all hands; it is not known if this was a result of enemy attack.
Poor navigational aids were also a factor in the loss of shipping. Until the Second World War many “coasters” trading between Britain and Ireland had no wheelhouses or electricity. The basic instruments for navigation were a compass and a chart. Most were fitted without radio and therefore unable to send out a distress call in the event of an emergency.
Sean will deliver an illustrated lecture highlighting these losses and their impact on the community. The lecture takes place on Thursday 14th May at 8.00 pm at Newry and Mourne Museum, and will cost £5 per person.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open to the public seven days a week with admission free of charge. For opening hours, information on events and exhibitions, other services and bookings please phone 028 30313178 / 028 3031 3175 or visit www.bagenalscastle.com.
