Tom MacSweeney column: I wasn’t ‘all at sea’ on keel-less Bantry longboat

I once sailed in the Bantry longboat. It was quite an experience.

The boat has no keel, whereas my Sigma 33 Scribbler has a strong one going nearly six feet below the waterline. The keel provides stability and assurance when the boat heels at an angle to the wind, as yachts do to gain power across the waves.

The longboat lacks a fixed, heavy keel to provide self-righting stability. Crew weight is ‘live ballast,’ which must be placed correctly with the movement of the 38-foot historical craft, to keep it balanced and prevent capsizing.

Sailing the longboat was challenging. I admire those who compete in it. So I am delighted the Bantry team, representing Ireland, won this year’s International Atlantic Challenge in Roskilde, the Danish port at the heart of Viking tradition.

International Contest of Seamanship 

Every two years, the challenge brings together young people from 16 member nations of the International Contest of Seamanship of which Bantry was a founder. As a result of this year’s victory, the 2028 event will be held in Bantry.

As well as sailing, the contest involves rowing and traditional seamanship tests, including navigation, to preserve traditional maritime skills.

The original Bantry longboat was intended as transport for Wolfe Tone when the French Armada failed to land in West Cork in 1796.

Under the command of General Hoche and direction of Wolfe Tone, the armada had 48 ships and 13,000 troops, but was devastated by storms.

Most of the fleet returned to France, but one ship’s longboat and crew were washed ashore on Bere Island, captured by local yeomanry under the command of Richard White, of Bantry House, who was loyal to the British crown. He received an earldom for his services.

The 38ft boat was brought to Bantry House, where it remained until 1944, when it was presented to the National Museum of Ireland in Dun Laoghaire. After many years there, it was transferred to the State Museum at Collins Barracks, restored, and put on permanent public display, the oldest surviving vessel of the French navy.

Bantry’s Unité longboat, with distinctive tan-coloured sails, is a replica of the original boat. It has 10 oars and three dipping lug sails. The traditional, three-masted rig has no boom to support the mainsail, so that must be lowered and swung around the boat to change direction. That’s quite a challenge in some wind conditions.

The Atlantic Challenge was established in the 1980s and expanded interest internationally in the Bantry longboat. In Ireland, there are also Bantry longboats in Cork, Waterford, Dublin, and Antrim.

Young Sailors Will Gather In Glandore

Wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi set up a telegraphic station at Mizen Head and Fastnet Rock in 1905. This will be remembered on Sunday at Glandore, when the Harbour Yacht Club stages the Marconi Cup.

This is a premier junior team-racing regatta for sailors aged 18 and under. Crews from Glandore Harbour YC, Baltimore, Bantry, Crookhaven, and Schull will sail in relay and team contests in what is annually a hotly-contested event between the young sailors.

Inaugurated in 2001 by Crookhaven Sailing Club, it brings together clubs west of Galley Head to foster community spirit among young sailors. Hosting is rotated each year. Combined performance across both sailing disciplines determines the overall winner.

The regatta has grown in to a highly anticipated staple of the regional club calendar, usually bringing together 80 young competitors, showcasing rising talent and building cross-club camaraderie.

Calves at Schull

Further West, at Schull, final preparations are under way for ‘Calves Week’ from August 4 to 7.

Some 75 yachts from Cork and around the coast are entered. The fleet will race in seven classes, from vintage to modern, including the lovely West Cork 1902 gaff cutter Lady Min, sailing around Carbery’s hundred isles and in Roaring Water Bay.

It got its name as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the famous UK Cowes Week, when the first organisers, back in 1884, derived it from the Calf Islands trio in Roaringwater Bay. Sponsored by Quintas Capital, Schull Harbour Sailing Club says it is “very much an annual family event”. By contrast, historical records recall “fierce rivalry and sailing battles between local fishing yawls from Baltimore, Sherkin, Cape Clear, and Crookhaven”.

Seascapes

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