The Fitzgerald Drowning Tragedy Of 1947.

The story below is not directly connected to the Ladies' Land League, but it is very much connected to Carbally and Ballymacaw. It's a sad tale that occurs all too often in fishing communities all around the world. May the Fitzgerald's, and all of the other people who have lost their lives at sea rest in peace.

Tragedy Of The Sea.

Father and Son Missing.

While Lobster Fishing Boat Washed Ashore At Ballycotton

Is Identified As Men’s Property.

Article from the Munster Express of Friday, May 9th, 1947.

When Michael Fitzgerald, aged 60, and his son John, 26 years old, left their home at Lisselty, near Brownstown Head. Co. Waterford, for the purpose of lobster fishing on the coast between Dunmore East and Tramore on Thursday evening of last week, they little thought that tragedy would overtake them before the day’s cycle had been completed The two men were never seen again after that fateful evening.

Both men were missed when they did not return to their small farm at what would be regarded as the normal time for their reappearance. Enquiries were set on foot, but without result and the fear of their loss gradually crew to be a certainty.

They had been fishing in a small boat, about 15 feet in length, and it is presumed that the little boat was swamped or capsized and its occupants thrown into the sea. As events showed, the surmise proved to be only too well founded. Nothing more has since been heard of Michael Fitzgerald and his son. A fairly strong easterly wind was blowing at the time and the water was choppy.

Farming was the normal pursuit of the Fitzgerald's, but during the lobster fishing season they augmented their income by laying lobster pots in Tramore Bay. Near their homestead. Both were non-swimmers.

News of the tragedy appeared in the Last Edition of the ‘Munster Express.’ Having given the few facts which were then available, the newspaper went on to describe how the coast as far distant as Helvick Head was patrolled by the Dunmore lifeboat, which contacted a trawler about twelve miles out to sea. The trawler crew however had no news of the missing men, nor boat. Concluding the brief report, the ‘Munster Express’ told its readers that John Fitzgerald was attached to the Irish Army Coast Watching Service during the emergency years and was stationed at Brownstown Head and at the Coast Watching Headquarters in Waterford City.

UNAVAILING SEARCH.

The news which subsequently came to hand was, if anything, more discouraging. In the days which followed, a search was made over a wide area not only by the Dunmore lifeboat, but by many other boats as well. But it was all to no purpose and the people of the locality, to whom the tragedy came as a great shock, began to be convinced that there was not much room for any further hope in regard to the fate of the two missing men. However, a constant look-out was maintained, and at last watchers were rewarded by the sight of a boat, which had been washed ashore at Garryvoe Strand, Ballycotton Bay. Co. Cork, on Monday.

BOAT IDENTIFIED.

The boat was first seen by a local fisherman named John Barry, who was accompanied by his son. Barry waited until the craft, which was floating upright, came near enough to them to enable himself and his son to wade out to It. It appeared to be in fairly good condition, but bore signs of recent repairs to the bow. It would also appear that the boat had been recently painted blue with a red stripe on the outside and on the inside green, above the seats and tarred underneath. These renovations would bear out the statement made by neighbours of the missing men that Fitzgerald had purchased a boat about a fortnight before and had freshly painted it. The Gardai communicated with Dunmore East, and the boat was ultimately identified on Tuesday as belonging to Fitzgerald by Messrs. Dunne, Tobin and O’Toole, who arrived from Dunmore East to view it at Garryvoe, where it had drifted ashore.

Strong south-easterly winds prevailing at the time would account for the boat being driven over such a long stretch of water from Brownstown to Garryvoe in that time. Mr. Dunne stated he had assisted the Fitzgerald's in launching the boat.

NO TRACE OF MISSING MEN.

Of the two missing men, there was not, up to the time of writing, any trace. It is believed that this was the first trip taken in the boat this year by Fitzgerald and his son. His wife and 22 year old daughter with him on the small farm at Lisselty, Brownstown.

The boat in question was handed over to John Barry and his son, who brought it ashore at Garryvoe Strand.

Article from the Munster Express of Friday, May 30th, 1947.

Recent Fishing Tragedy.

Body Washed Ashore At Brownstown.

The body of John Fitzgerald (26), of Lisselty, Brownstown, Co. Waterford, one of the victims of the drowning tragedy of a month ago, was washed ashore near Brownstown Head, on Sunday last. The deceased and his father, Michael Fitzgerald (65), went lobster fishing on Thursday, 1st May, at 5 p.m. A fairly strong nor'-easterly wind was blowing at the time and the sea was fairly rough. Nothing further was heard of them until their boat was washed ashore at Garryvoe Strand, Ballycotton Bay, Co. Cork, on the following Monday. There is still no trace of the father's body.

John Fitzgerald was attached to the coast-watching service during the emergency, and was stationed at Brownstown Head and at the coast-watching headquarters, The Mall, Waterford.

Mrs. E. Fitzgerald, Lisselty, and her daughter, Miss Chrissie Fitzgerald, have the sincerest sympathy of all in their tragic loss.

DISCOVERY OF THE BODY.

The discovery of the body was made by Master Martin Halley, son of Mr. "Pakey" Halley and Mrs. Halley, of Brownstown, who, with Mr. Patrick Dunne and Mr. David Tobin had it removed further inshore. The body was then brought by Breeches Buoy up a 100ft. cliff by members of the Dunmore Rocket Apparatus Service in charge of Mr. Peter Roche, Dunmore. Assistance was also rendered by Sgt. Campbell, G.S.

THE INQUEST.

Dr. J. C. Walsh, Coroner, East Waterford, conducted an inquest at the Strand Hotel, Dunmore, on Monday. He sat without a jury.

Miss Christina Fitzgerald, sister of the deceased, gave evidence of having seen her father and brother go fishing on May 1st. They had not since returned.

Dr. P. F. O'Sullivan. Dunmore E., deposted to having carried out a post-mortem examination on the body, which was identified by Mr. Patrick Dunne, Brownstown.

A verdict of accidental drowning in the sea off Brownstown, was returned.

A vote of sympathy with the relatives on their sad loss was proposed by the Coroner, and joined, in by Supt. M. Walsh, G.S., Waterford, and others.

THE FUNERAL.

The body of the late Mr. John Fitzgerald was removed to Carbally Church on Sunday night, and on Monday morning Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was offered up by Rev. T. O'Shea, C.C, Tramore, in the presence of a large attendance of relatives and sympathisers. Interment took place in the afternoon, following the inquest, in the adjoining graveyard. Father O'Shea again officiating at the graveside.

The chief mourners were: Miss C. Fitzgerald "(sister); Mrs. E. Cummins, Waterford; Mrs. M. Griffin, Kilmacthomas; Mrs. B. Geraghty, Ballydavid (aunts); Messrs. J. Cummins, Waterford; J. Griffin, Kilmacthomas; J. Geraghty, Ballydavid; Mrs. A. Kavanagh, Waterford; Miss M. Cummins, do.; Messrs. Patrick and Michael O'Toole, Dunmore East (cousins).

Mass cards were sent by: Mother and Chrissie; Aunt Stasia, London; Aunt Mary and Jack, Kilmac; Aunt Ellie, Uncle John and Mary, Poleberry, Waterford; Christie & Alice, Barrack St., Waterford; Bridie and Tom, Altrinham, Cheshire; Mr. and Mrs. Halley, Brownstown; Aunt Bridget and Jim, Ballydavid; Katty and Jack, St. Laurence's Terrace, Waterford. A number of beautiful floral tributes were also laid on the grave.

Article from the Munster Express of Friday, June 6^th, 1947.

Recent Fishing Boat Tragedy

Second Body Washed Ashore at Tramore Back Strand.

SEEN BY TEACHER WHILST BATHING,

Whilst bathing at high tide on the Back Strand, Tramore, at about 5 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Patrick Walsh. N.T., Carbally,' and his sister-in-law. Miss Kathleen Sheehan, Waterford, who was on holidays, saw a dark object floating in the water some considerable distance away. He remembered the recent tragedy, when Mr. Michael Fitzgerald and his son, John, left Brownstown in a boat to go lobster fishing on Thursday evening, 1st May, the day following the great gale which caused much damage to house property in Tramore and Waterford. The sea was choppy, and nothing more was heard of the two men, despite searches by the Dunmore Lifeboat and other craft, until their boat was washed ashore on Garryvoe Strand, Ballycotton, Co. Cork, on the following Monday. The son's body was recovered from the sea - at Brownstown on Whit Sunday.

Mr. Walsh decided that the object he saw in the water deserved investigation, and he proceeded to the residence of Mr. William Kearney, steward of Corballymore House, formerly Gallwey's but now occupied by Mr. Bonaparte Wyse. He met the steward's son, Mr. Patrick Kearney, who procured field glasses, and, after scanning the object, decided to investigate further. A boat was secured, and Mr. Kearney set off, accompanied by Messrs. William Taylor, Maurice Power, and James Sweeney. The object proved to be the body of Michael' Fitzgerald, father of the other victim. It was partially clothed, and, contrary to expectations, was not in an advanced state of decomposition. It had floated through the channel known as Rhinashark, which connects Tramore Bay with the Back Strand. They brought the body ashore, and Mr. Kearney proceeded by motor cycle to Dunmore East to report the matter to the Gardai. The coroner, Dr. J. C. Walsh, Bonmahon, and Mr. T. Hennessy, Undertaker, Waterford, were communicated with regarding the inquest and funeral. The remains were received at Carbally Church late that evening by Rev. P. Ahearne, C.C, Tramore.

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Corballymore on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. J. C. Walsh. Coroner, East Waterford, conducted the inquest.

Evidence of identification, was given by Mr. David Tobin. Brownstown. Miss Christina Fitzgerald, daughter of the deceased, gave evidence of having seen her father go fishing on Thursday, May 1st. A verdict of accidental drowning in the sea off Brownstown was returned.

A vote of sympathy with the relatives was proposed by the Coroner, and joined in by Sergt. Campbell, on behalf of the Gardai, and others.