Galway In Days Gone By

1915

SS Atlanta torpedoed

The SS Atlanta, a 519-ton steamer, was attacked and set on fire or torpedoed by a German submarine off Inishturk Island, between Clew Bay and Killary Harbour, about 11am on Sunday morning.

The admiralty report uses the word “torpedoed”, but the investigations of our special correspondent, who visited the scene and interviewed the crew early on Monday morning, would seem to indicate that the steamer was simply set on fire.

The Germans fired from revolvers and rifles at the crew, the 16 members of which got safely ashore on the island. They were subsequently brought to Tully and Clifden, and thence to Dublin, for Glasgow. The Atlanta was beached in Cleggan Harbour.

This is the furthest distance yet recorded of a submarine’s voyage from her base, and this is also the first time an engagement with a German submarine has taken place off the West Coast of Ireland, so far as is known.

After the crew had been put off in boats, the Germans set fire to the ship, and as the sailors were rowing for Inishturk, they saw the submarine making off at full speed in a south-westerly direction.

In the afternoon, the crew landed at Inishturk, where they were most hospitably entertained by the islanders, who provided them with bread and bacon and eggs.

1940

Connacht Senior Cup

University College, Galway, proved that they are worthy holders of the Connacht Senior Challenge Cup when, at the Sports Ground, on St Patrick’s Day, a large crowd saw them defeat Corinthians in the final by one placed goal and one penalty goal (8 pts) to nil.

While the game was singularly devoid of thrills, it was played at a fast and keen pace throughout. With a few exceptions, the players seemed to drop that Cup final complex of “don’t chance anything” and as a result, we had some splendid passing movements – especially on the College side – in which reversed passing figured largely.

On the Dole

Connacht continues to make a full contribution to the unemployed of Eire or possibly, so far as the West is concerned, it would be more correct to say, to the group of persons with little means, just enough and not much more, to render them ineligible for inclusion in the ‘no means’ category.

Last month, there were 17,621 persons ‘with means’ registered in Connacht, 17,483 being men. There were also 2,224 ‘without means’ registered, mostly men. There is a very stiff unemployment problem in Galway City and the area immediately around it.

‘Bus strike

No settlement has yet been reached in the strike which began in Galway on Tuesday afternoon when three members of the staff if the freight department of the G.S.R. were given notice that they would in future be employed on a casual basis.

Nineteen other workers struck in sympathy with them and when no settlement was reached on Thursday, the staff of the local ‘bus department also struck, with the result that all ‘bus services in city and county districts ceased to operate.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.