Eliezer tragedy recalled 100 years on
“THE Danish crew aboard the Eliezer was returning from the Canadian city of Miramichi, but were first required to bring a cargo of timber to Limerick. On that return voyage, the five men encountered dreadful weather at Ballinskelligs Bay on November 24, and despite their bravest efforts, the Eliezer capsized, and their lives would be lost.”
Those were the words Heritage Iveragh’s Thomas Horgan shared with The Kerryman, almost 100 years on from the tragedy that befell the men of the Eliezer in November of 1916 – an incident that was especially harrowing given that it occurred just weeks after four local men perished at the same Bay.
With events planned for Sunday to remember the centenary of these tragedies, Thomas imparted his knowledge of the catastrophes to The Kerryman, and explained that the fate that enveloped the Eliezer literally left an imprint on the Ballinskelligs area:
“At low tide, the ribs of the Marstal-registered vessel can be seen reaching out from the sands near the mouth of the Inny,” he said.
“Some of the men of the Eliezer were later found, and are buried in the cemetery at St Michael and All Angels Church in Waterville.”
Just two months prior to that tragedy, four Iveragh boatmen were drowned at the bay after their newly purchased fishing boat was overturned in savage weather.
These men – Michael O’Shea and James O’Connor of Cahersiveen, and Denis McGillicuddy and Thomas Curran of Waterville – will be remembered on Sunday.
The commemorative events will also serve as an opportunity to think of others who’ve lost their lives at the bay, including the heroic Paddy Seán Fogarty, who died at the Inny Strand in 1989 after trying to save his friend Fr Willie Murphy.
A strong audience is expected at the weekend, and Thomas ran through Sunday’s timetable with The Kerryman.
“We’ll visit the Eliezer’s remains at 9.30am, before an ecumenical service gets underway at St Michael and All Angel’s Church from 11.30am.”
A Danish delegation, which will include descendants of the SV Eliezer’s crew members, will be in Iveragh for the commemorations, and the Mayor of Marstal will be at hand to unveil a monument at the Waterville promenade after the church service.
Thomas went on to explain that “The contingent from Denmark will be treated to a coach trip around the locality, before a dinner takes place at the Sea Lodge Hotel in Waterville from 7pm.”
He added that the events will also acknowledge the work of south Kerry’s valued lifesaving services.
“We’re very grateful for all the services we have in the Iveragh area; these people risk their lives to keep us safe,” he said.
“We will honour the bravery of these men and women on Sunday, in a mark of gratitude for the services they provide.”