John Kidney, Chairman of the Commissioners of Irish Lights speaks on the occasion of the de-commissioning of the South Rock LightFloat
This is indeed a symbolic day in the history of Irish Lights. We are witness to the withdrawal of the last Irish Lightship, some 273 years since the first one was established as a novel Aid to Navigation for the safety of shipping and of course, the safety of the Mariner. It is also a sad day. Modern navigation techniques and new technology allow us to replace this fine girl with a rather brash looking buoy. It is poor consolation that safe navigational standards are maintained, that this new buoy is stuffed full of electronic and radio wizardry. The solidity and dependability of this lightship will be sadly missed.
The first Irish lightship was established in 1736 by the Ballast Committee of Dublin Corporation. This was known as the Dublin Lightship, or Palmer's Lightship named after the contractor who operated it. This was the second lightship in the world to be established. The first was the Nore Lightship at the mouth of the Thames, which was established in 1732. The Dublin Lightship was withdrawn when the Poolbeg Lighthouse was built in 1767.
Almost 200 years ago, in 1810, the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin (the Ballast Board) was made responsible for the provision of lighthouses and beacons in Ireland. One of their first decisions was to place a floating light on the Kish Bank. The following year they purchased the galliot Veronia Gesina of 103 tons, engaged a crew, and fitted out the vessel as a lightship, with three lights arranged in a triangular shape. The light was first exhibited on 16 November 1811. In foggy weather a gong was sounded but when the Holyhead Packet (mailboat) was expected, an 18 pounder gun was fired.
Thus, a string of lightships was gradually established on the east and south coasts of Ireland to mark the sandy low lying shoals that predominate in that region.
The earliest lightships were converted mercantile ships, often Dutch hoys or galliots, with lanterns hung from yards. But from the turn of the nineteenth century purpose-built lightships were designed. The first Irish purpose built lightship was the Seagull, built during 1823-4 by Roberts of Milford Haven and originally destined for the Coningbeg station.
Through the nineteenth century the number of lightship stations increased. At the beginning of the twentieth century there were eleven lightship stations in Ireland.
The Kish Lightship was withdrawn in 1965 when it was replaced by a lighthouse. In subsequent years the remaining lightships were replaced by high focal plane buoys or large automatic navigation buoys (lanbys). Eventually, only the Coningbeg and South Rock remained and they were de-manned and automated.
This present vessel, the Gannet, which was built in 1953/54 by Philip & Son, Dartmouth, has a length of 134 feet, breadth of 25 feet and depth of 15 feet. She is constructed of steel, cost £95,200 at the time and was converted to automatic light float in 1980/81. However, in the Commissioners 2008 strategic plan for the safety of navigation around the coasts of Ireland, it was decided that the role of the last lightship at the South Rock can be safely undertaken by a super buoy and the era of lightships in Ireland has come to an end.
I wish to pay tribute to the many dedicated lightshipmen over the years, most of whom hailed from Co. Wexford and Co. Down and who gave such a sterling service for the safety of other mariners. Maintaining the light was all important. However it could be a dangerous business and it was no easy matter to be tethered by a single anchor, reasonably close to shore. And when in the teeth of a storm, the only recourse to save the lightship was to pay out more cable. I salute and thank them for their dedication over the centuries.