Irish Lights Seamen's wartime service recognised
'As an island nation we totally depended on their
skill, dedication, and courage to keep our supply lines open in the
world's darkest days'
-Dr Michael Woods, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
SAM WILLIAMS, retired Lighthouse Depot Bosun, was presented with a gold medal and certificate for service on Irish vessels during World War II by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Michael Woods, at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on 20 November 1999.
Sam survived the sinking of the Irish Lights steamer Isolda when it was bombed by a German aircraft on 19 December 1940.
Another Irish Lights pensioner, Tom Sharkey, was also presented with a medal and certificate for service on Irish merchant ships during World War II. He and Sam were the only seafarers to receive their valour awards in person on this occasion.
At the ceremony the Minister presented 20 valour awards on behalf of the Government. Four were awarded to next of kin of seamen who lost their lives in wartime service, 13 were presented to next of kin of those who have subsequently passed away, and one to the daughter of a seaman unable to attend through illness.
Maritime historians estimate that around 156 seafarers lost their lives on Irish ships during the war years. Of these the families of over 40 are probably entitled to posthumous awards that remain unclaimed. The Minister said 'I am anxious that other crewmen who served during these years, or their families, should come forward and claim any honours due'.
Isolda was sunk while carrying out the Barrels and Coningbeg Lightship reliefs. P. Dunne, Coxswain; P. Farrell, Seaman; W. Holland, Steward; W. Rushby, Leading Fireman; J. J. Hayden, Fireman; and P. Shortt, Fireman lost their lives.
The survivors were A. Bestic, Acting Commander; E. C. Thornton, Chief Officer; J. O'Hehir, Second Officer; T. Scott-Whyte, Chief Engineer; R. Best, Second Engineer; E. Johnston, Bosun; G. Guy, Carpenter; W. Kehoe, J. Moran, and M. McDonagh, Quartermasters; J. O'Brien, F. O'Sullivan, C. Swords, J. Stuart, J. Redmond, C. Leary, and P. Murphy, Seamen; J. Jackson, Greaser; J. Kavanagh, Officers' Steward; P. Burke, Cook; and D. Byrne and S. Williams, Deck Boys.
After the sinking of Isolda Sam Williams sailed on City of Antwerp before returning to Irish Lights and serving on Discovery II, Alexandra, and the 'new' Isolda before being appointed Bosun in the Lighthouse Depot.
Tom Sharkey was a Deck Boy on Alexandra from 1938 to 1940 and subsequently sailed on a number of Irish merchant vessels before returning to Irish Lights in 1945 and serving on Discovery II, Alexandra, the first Granuaile, and Atlanta. In 1962 he became a Shipkeeper on the spare lightvessels, in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in 1968 transferred to the Lighthouse Depot.
Dr Woods said that Ireland owed an inestimable debt to the merchant seamen who, at great risk to themselves, ensured supplies of food, clothing, fuels, and other essentials reached this country during the war years. 'As an island nation we totally depended on their skill, dedication, and courage to keep our supply lines open in the world's darkest days', Dr Woods said.
-Dr Michael Woods, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
SAM WILLIAMS, retired Lighthouse Depot Bosun, was presented with a gold medal and certificate for service on Irish vessels during World War II by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Michael Woods, at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on 20 November 1999.
Sam survived the sinking of the Irish Lights steamer Isolda when it was bombed by a German aircraft on 19 December 1940.
Another Irish Lights pensioner, Tom Sharkey, was also presented with a medal and certificate for service on Irish merchant ships during World War II. He and Sam were the only seafarers to receive their valour awards in person on this occasion.
At the ceremony the Minister presented 20 valour awards on behalf of the Government. Four were awarded to next of kin of seamen who lost their lives in wartime service, 13 were presented to next of kin of those who have subsequently passed away, and one to the daughter of a seaman unable to attend through illness.
Maritime historians estimate that around 156 seafarers lost their lives on Irish ships during the war years. Of these the families of over 40 are probably entitled to posthumous awards that remain unclaimed. The Minister said 'I am anxious that other crewmen who served during these years, or their families, should come forward and claim any honours due'.
Isolda was sunk while carrying out the Barrels and Coningbeg Lightship reliefs. P. Dunne, Coxswain; P. Farrell, Seaman; W. Holland, Steward; W. Rushby, Leading Fireman; J. J. Hayden, Fireman; and P. Shortt, Fireman lost their lives.
The survivors were A. Bestic, Acting Commander; E. C. Thornton, Chief Officer; J. O'Hehir, Second Officer; T. Scott-Whyte, Chief Engineer; R. Best, Second Engineer; E. Johnston, Bosun; G. Guy, Carpenter; W. Kehoe, J. Moran, and M. McDonagh, Quartermasters; J. O'Brien, F. O'Sullivan, C. Swords, J. Stuart, J. Redmond, C. Leary, and P. Murphy, Seamen; J. Jackson, Greaser; J. Kavanagh, Officers' Steward; P. Burke, Cook; and D. Byrne and S. Williams, Deck Boys.
After the sinking of Isolda Sam Williams sailed on City of Antwerp before returning to Irish Lights and serving on Discovery II, Alexandra, and the 'new' Isolda before being appointed Bosun in the Lighthouse Depot.
Tom Sharkey was a Deck Boy on Alexandra from 1938 to 1940 and subsequently sailed on a number of Irish merchant vessels before returning to Irish Lights in 1945 and serving on Discovery II, Alexandra, the first Granuaile, and Atlanta. In 1962 he became a Shipkeeper on the spare lightvessels, in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in 1968 transferred to the Lighthouse Depot.
Dr Woods said that Ireland owed an inestimable debt to the merchant seamen who, at great risk to themselves, ensured supplies of food, clothing, fuels, and other essentials reached this country during the war years. 'As an island nation we totally depended on their skill, dedication, and courage to keep our supply lines open in the world's darkest days', Dr Woods said.