Disembarkation- Nicky Rossiter (most read books of all time .TXT) 📖

miles from the Welsh coast when attacked, 29 people including 17 crewmembers died. Among the dead was Michael Brennan of Ram Street, Wexford, son of the man killed in the previous assault.

Meanwhile, much smaller vessels from the port of Wexford were busy on the oceans of the world bringing vital supplies to Irish ports. Among their cargos were oranges that reached Wexford in 1942 for the first time since the outbreak of war. Some of the ships keeping vital supply lines open at great danger to themselves and their crews were, 'Menapia', 'Edenvale' and 'Kerlogue' of Wexford Steamship Company, and Harry Wilson’s 'Begerin' and 'Goldfinder'.

The 'Menapia' made an historic voyage in May 1942 when she sailed alone, protected only by the tricolour painted on her superstructure, to Boston in the United States. This Wexford ship was so small that the tugboats of Boston harbour dwarfed her. In the month of her trip, 38 British ships had been sunk on the same route. The 'Menapia' made two other trips to Boston during the war as well as to Sao Jome in West Africa. Her captain was Peter McGrath of

Maudlintown.

Another Wexford ship, 'Kerlogue' also entered the history

books during the Second World War. At dawn on December

29th, 1943, she was on a return voyage from Lisbon when a

German bomber circled her. The plane signalled that help

was required so her skipper altered course to investigate. At 11 a.m. the 'Kerlogue' reached the site and found a scene of

devastation. Men floated in the ocean clinging to life rafts, life-jackets and pieces of wreckage. She manoeuvred through the obstacles with her crew lining both sides of her deck, grabbing bodies and hauling them on board, for almost 10 hours.

Eventually, 170 German sailors were on board the Wexford ship. Not being very large, they had to be packed into every nook and cranny on board. A.B. Thomas Grannell had to steer the ship from a wheelhouse containing 14 extra bodies. There was naturally, an immediate drain on food, water and warm clothing but the code of the sea prevailed among these mariners and everything was shared.

Normal practice for Irish shipping in those perilous days was that vessels on foreign routes should call to Fishguard before returning to their homeport, but Captain Donohue, steered a course direct for Cobh with his rescued sailors. He cut radio contact in order to avoid British orders and finally landed his charges at Cobh at 2.30 a.m. on New Years Day, 1944.

Two months later, another ship out of Wexford, the 'Cymric' was not so fortunate, it disappeared en route in February 1944 with its crew of 11, six of whom were Wexfordmen.

Wexford sailors suffered many attacks during the war years, they were among the crews of 'Irish Pine'

and of the hospital ship 'St. David' which was sunk off Anzio. The 'Edenvale' was attacked no less than four times and the 'Kerlogue' and 'Menapia' once each.

A memorial to the Wexford seamen who died during the war is located at the Crescent and includes the names G. Furlong, J. Spanner, P. Bergin, J. Brennan, J. Crosbie, K. Furlong, W. O'Rourke, M. Tierney, P.

Bent, P. Cleary, M. O'Neill, S. Smith, E. Barry.

Of the little 'war ships' of Wexford, 'Edenvale' was sold to Dakar, West Africa, in 1949, Kerlogue' to a Norwegian Company, She was wrecked in 1960 and the 'Menapia' was sold to Greece and was wrecked in 1971.

During the war years, the life of Wexford Port continued. Despite heroism and deaths of Wexford sailors, the ordinary, mundane tasks of making a harbour viable went on.

On February 12th, 1940, Mr. Billington asked if the Commissioners could bring about the inflow of general cargo to the port to benefit local traders and the port itself. The chairman believed that prevailing conditions were against it but perhaps things would improve later.

Also in 1940 a new Harbour Constable was to be appointed from 5 applicants, Nicholas Connolly, Talbot St.; James Morris, Wygram Place; John Malone, The Crescent; James Layne, Croke Avenue; John J.

Connolly, Macken Street. The minutes state that Mr. Connolly was selected - but do not specify which Mr. Connolly.

An increase in pilotage rates from 4 ½ d. to 6 ½ d per ton requested by the government was contested by local shipowners. Meanwhile accounts for the year to March 31st., 1940 were published.

Tonnage down by 2,666 tons.

Cargo rates less by £120 -11 -10

Sundry earnings less by £18 - 6 -10

Pilotage down by £41 - 3 - 5

Costs were also down:-

Quay upkeep, less by £82 -10 - 7

Buoys and beacons less by

£26 -16 - 4

Harbour police down £2-

10-7

Salaries and general

expenses less by £68 - 9 - 9

A dredger had been

purchased with a loan of

£2095 - 10 - 0 which

increased liabilities but the

savings caused by its use

would cover interest

charges. No money had

been paid off the bank debt. The pilots requested a 10/ = per week raise, this was deferred to the committee.

This trend is reflected in the report on proceedings of Wexford Harbour Board published in the "People"

of January 22nd., 1941.

"The Town Clerk forwarded an account for the maintenance and lighting of the Harbour streets for the year 1939 and for water sold to ships. The letter stated that the account was long overdue. The account amounted to £90, of which £17-10-0 was for water.

Ald. McMahon - The thing is it isn't all sunshine with the Harbour Board at present, £90 is going to clean us out.

Mr. Saville - If we had the money we would be only too glad to pay it. We haven't got it at present.

It was suggested that the account in respect of water be paid, and explain that they could not pay the remainder at the moment. "

The Board agreed that the Chamber of Commerce could be used as a First Aid Post