Death of two sailors on the ‘Setanta’ shocked the town

CLOGHERHEAD COASTGUARD WERE PRAISED FOR VENTURING OUT IN STORM FORCE GALES IN RESCUE BID

THE sea can be a cruel foe and that was the case in July 1973.

While competing in a sailing race from Mornington to the Rock-a-Bill Lighthouse, off Skerries, and back, two local men were lost, Mr. Charles Moore (25), of St. Mary’s Terrace, Dublin Road, and Mr. Derek Kearney (21), of Sunnyside.

The report from the paper is gripping. ‘ The Clogherhead lifeboat, an Air Corps helicopter as well as Gardai and civilians have been out combing the sea and coastline for the missing men since early on Monday morning but, so far, without success. It was on the return journey from Skerries in the afternoon, during what is reported as a “fierce gale,” that the men were apparently tossed off the boat.’

The men were reported missing after their 24-ft. yacht ‘Setanta’ was found washed ashore at Delvin Bridge, Gormanston. Later, Military police found an inflated rubber dingy about a mile away. Defence Minister Paddy Donegan, himself a member of the Boyne Yacht Club, arrived on the scene just as the search was getting under way and assisted in attempts to find the men. The missing yachtsmen set sail from Mornington at about 12 noon in a force 3 to 5 wind, gusting to force 6. It was considered good sailing weather. But a later forecast reported winds of 4 to 6 increasing to force 8.

‘ The ‘ Setanta’ was last seen by the crew of the ‘ Whirlaway * as it rounded the Rock-a-Bill Lighthouse for the return journey. That was at approximately 3.30 p.m. About an hour later, when the Setanta would be nearing base, a heavy squall blew up.

‘Mr. Moore, son of Dr and Mrs. A. G Moore, was an accountant and unmarried. He had been a member-of the Boyne Yacht Club for the past 10 years and was considered ‘very experienced’ and only just returned from taking part in a big international regatta on the Clyde in Scotland where he had successfully competed with two other members of the club. ‘Mr. Kearney is a son of Mrs. N. Kearney and the late Mr. John Kearney, and was a technical representative with Aer Gas Ltd. He had been an enthusiastic member of the same club for a number of years and was single.

‘A friend said yesterday that the two men had been looking forward to competing in the Whitbread Round the World Trophy Race later in the vear.

Mr. Wolfgang Schattschneider. a member of the club, said the missing mem were experienced sailors and because of this he was rather disturbed at what had happened.

He added : “Charlie Moore was one of the most experienced members we had and had gone on long voyages in the past. Only recently he sailed to the Isle of Man single handed.”

It was the second time in six months that tragedy has hit the club. Two of its members. Mr. Peter Lappin and Mr. Bernard O’Reilly, were drowned off Balbriggan at the end of January. Mr. Lappin was a first cousin of Mr. Moore.

Said club commodore, Mr. Peadar Duffner: “This has come as a terrible shock to all of us. We are just numbed. I knew both of them well and would rate them as first class yachtsmen.”

Tributes to the dedication and efficiency of the Clogherhead lifeboat crew were paid this week by a man who watched them turn out in stormy weather to look for the two men.

Mr. Nicholas Kirwan, Clogherhead, said he was very impressed by the way the crew had gone about their job in atrocious weather. ‘ I just thought they should be complimented. Enough people are ready to criticise them but not to give credit when it is due,’ he said.

The body of Derek Kearney (21). of Sunnyside, one of the missing Drogheda yachtsmen, was recovered from the sea off the Cardy Rocks, Balbriggan. The recovery was made by Mr. Robert Berney, Bettystown, and Mr. Ken Wilde. Drogheda, who were out in a motor boat looking for the bodies of Mr. Kearney and his companion.