Boat builder on mission to rescue Hooker sunk by Brits in 1916

A currach builder is on a mission to discover the owner of a Galway Hooker sunk by a British battleship in Galway Bay during the 1916 Easter Rising.

The boat was initially discovered by divers in search of a different wreck about seven years ago. There were no records or details about the vessel – but they did note that it was carrying a large cargo of turf when it sank.

Peadar Macken rediscovered the curious tale of the encounter between the HMS Laburnum and a Galway Hooker during research he was undertaking for the 1916 commemorations, the War of Independence and the role of Liam Mellows in the Easter Rising in Galway.

As the rebels began their attack on central Dublin during Easter week, Liam Mellows led a few hundred of his men to take police barracks at Oranmore and Clarenbridge. Back then Galway city was a stronghold for the British Army with a large garrison in Renmore and several outposts around the county.

In response to these attacks, the Royal Navy tasked three of her ships to Galway Bay. One of them, the HMS Laburnum, arrived on April 26.

Hours later she fired nine rounds from her after gun in the direction of Castlegar where it was believed the rebels were approaching Galway City. The shots were designed to act as a show of force to deter rebel activity. And they worked; Peadar says they were one of the reasons that Liam Mellows retreated to Athenry.

The following day during patrols British crewmen spotted a Galway hooker and ordered him to ‘heave too’ and come alongside for inspection.

“The poor boatman probably didn’t understand the meaning of the flags and in all probability didn’t speak any English,” notes Peadar.

One account posted on the maritime blog an tAtlantach said the sailor in his traditional wooden boat heavily laden with turf had been making a routine delivery to Kinvara from Carraroe.

“Indefatigably he ignored the threat from this warship of the King’s Navy and held his course. Not impressed by this, the Laburnum fired a round across his bow. This show of force was enough and the hooker came alongside. Thereafter ensued a comedy of errors.”

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.