Republican News · Thursday 6 February 2002

Tar Isteach Bogtrotters take to the sea

BY GAY CLERY

Two of our daring Bogtrotters exchanged walking boots for wellies recently and joined the sail training barque Jeanie Johnston on her trip from Belfast to Waterford.

Brian McNally and Gay Clery jumped at the chance to go aboard as part of the temporary crew, although it must be said that Gay was just that little bit apprehensive when he recalled a rather unfortunate experience in a previous life.

The present Jeanie Johnston was built at Blennerville in County Kerry as a replica of a vessel built in Quebec by John Munn in 1847 and from then until she was sold on in 1855 she transported over 2,500 Irish people across the Atlantic.

Her captain, James Attridge, ran a good ship and along with the very able and considerate Doctor Blennerhassett they never lost a soul. Indeed, one Nicholas Johnston Ryan was born at sea and proudly added to the passenger list.

On the first day out of Belfast, our pair were assigned to different watches and made familiar with the various tasks they would be expected to take part in over the next few days. All crew get the chance to learn a little about things sailing, ie. the names of different sails, navigation, helmwork (steering), ropework, knots and hauling to the command, 2-6 heave, 2-6 heave, and, of courese, how to sing sea shanties.

All are encouraged to climb the rigging (with safety harness, of course), which is probably the highlight of the trip for most.

Everyone does "watch" at some time, which means scanning the sea ahead for any object in the path, such as submarines, aircraft carriers or more likely, trawler nets.

After dark that night the breeze got strong enough for sailing and work began, with plenty of 2-6 heaves and a few other words that our heroes didn't quite catch. Sails were set and "what it's all about" began, with a good moon well up and the sound of the sea and the breeze through the rigging, great stuff.

As the next day progressed, the Nor'Westerly really got up, with the Jeanie Johnston showing her style as she scudded along at a great rate of knots.

Making about 10 knots down along the Wicklow and Wexford coast with the sea really heaving, the Tusker Rock lighthouse was passed, almost covered in a sea of spray.

Then it was around off Carnsore Point, keeping well out beyond the Saltees and plenty more 2-6 heaves as the course was changed for Waterford and an anchorage off Dunmore East.

The Jeanie Johnston is the people's ship and has a permanent crew of 11 (to be increased) so she takes on over 20 paying crew to sail her each trip. The paying crew on this trip were all ages from late teens to late 60;, some were on their own, others in groups, (some FÁS groups). No sailing experience is required and there is plenty to learn and all had a mighty experience.

After a great welcome in Waterford and with the ship made ready for visitors, the crew had a few well deserved tankards of grog at a local inn and there was plenty of yarning over the happenings of the previous few days.

The next morning, our adventurers sort of jumped ship and swayed off to miss the early train to Dublin by 5 minutes, but later they had a great sleep all the way to Heuston station. 2-6 Heave, 2-6 Heave.