Shock as Nutt’s Corner air disaster kills dozens (1953)

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

Mr Peter Masefield, chief executive of British European Airways, with representatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, had examined the wreckage of the Viking airliner in which 27 people were killed when it crashed near Nutt’s Corner aerodrome on night of Monday, January 6, 1953.

Belfast News Letter – Tuesday, January 6 1953

When he returned to London Mr Masefield said that the aircraft had been making a very low approach and hit a post supporting one of the approach lights a quarter of a mile from the runway.

“It touched down in a the runway,” he said, “and, the runway and, as bad luck would have it, went smack into a very substantial brick and concrete building right on the line of approach 200 yards from the end of the runway.

“The building disintegrated with the aeroplane and all the casualties were caused by the break up, which burst the plane wide open.

Mr. Masefield said of the Nutt’s Corner rescue services: “They worked extremely well and did a magnificent job. They were on the spot very quickly.”

He said that visibility at the time of the crash was very good. The aircraft was landing on the ground control approach radar system.

The report of the investigation officers of the Ministry of Civil Aviation was to go to the Minister, Mr A T Lennox-Boyd, who will decide whether or not a public inquiry was to be held.

Seven of the eight people injured in the crash are in the Massereene Hospital, Antrim. Two of them, Mr Paul Scarlett and Mr J Brower are seriously ill. The others injured were described as “fairly comfortable”.

Some of the relatives of the killed and injured passengers had travelled from London airport aboard a BEA aircraft. They were Mr John Kavanagh, whose wife and son were killed, Mr F Foullitz, whose wife was killed, and Mr and Mrs Arthur Scarlett, of West Dulwich.

Their departure for Belfast had been delayed for nearly two hours. The flight was transferred from Northolt to Heath Row because of strong cross winds. There they waited with 24 other passengers until just before 9pm.

The News Letter reported: “Throughout Monday night with the aid of searchlights, rescue workers toiled among the wreckage. Personal possessions of the dead and the injured, scattered among the debris, were recovered and piled neatly in pathetic heaps beside the aircraft.

Belfast News Letter – Wednesday January 7 1953

“Wreckage was scattered over an area of about 150 yards. One engine was flung 40 yards, a propeller was hurled into an adjoining field.

“Yesterday all that remained intact was the tail plane, standing gauntly above the charred and blackened wreckage.

“The aeroplane had carried a lead container of radioactive seeds for the new radiotherapy centre at Purdysburn Hospital, Belfast. All night a search was made for this consignment, and it was discovered intact yesterday morning. The material sought, and now delivered to the radiotherapy centre, was 32 kilos of radon, a gas given off by radium.”

When a News Letter reporter visited Nutt’s Corner yesterday they were informed by Mr R L Carter, BEA area manager, that the accident was the first there since the corporation began its service from the airport.

The last major accident in the United Kingdom was on January 10, 1952, noted the News Letter, when 23 people were killed when an Aer Lingus Dakota airliner crashed into a bog in Snowdonia, Wales. while flying from Northolt to Dublin. There were no accidents in 1951 involving the deaths of more than 10 people.

On March 12, 1950, 80 people were killed when a chartered airliner carrying passengers from the international Rugby match between Wales and Ireland at Belfast crashed near the village of Sigingstone, Glam. Twenty-eight people were killed on October 17, 1950, when a BEA Dakota crashed at Mill Hill, and another 28 were killed on October 31, when a BEA Viking crashed at London airport. The last serious air accident in Northern Ireland occurred on April 1, 1946, when a Railways Air Services machine crashed during fog on the Royal Belfast Golf Club course at Craigavad and was burned out. Five of the six passengers lost their lives.

Mr De Valera, Eire Prime Minister, in a telegram to Lord Brookeborough, extended his sympathies.

He said: “We are ail of us distressed by the Nutt’s Corner Airport disaster, and wish to express our heartfelt sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their lives and our earnest hope for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.”

Lord Brookeborough sent the following reply: “Your kind message of sympathy is greatly appreciated.”

Lord Wakehurst, Governor of Northern Ireland, sent the following message to Mr Carter: “My wife and I join with the people of Ulster in sorrow at the tragic accident at Nutt’s Corner last night. Our deepest sympathy is with the relatives and friends of those who have lost their lives and we pray that those who were injured may soon be restored to health.”

Lord Brookeborough sent the following telegram to Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, chairman of BEA: “Deeply grieved to learn of the airliner disaster at Belfast airport. My colleagues in the Government of Northern Ireland join me in expressing heartfelt sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives and earnestly hope for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Lord Douglas replied: “I am most grateful to you and the members of the Government of Northern Ireland for your kind thoughts in our tragic accident at Belfast. Your sympathy is greatly appreciated by all concerned.”

In a message to Mr Carter, area manager of BEA, the Lord Mayor (Councillor J H Norrit) said: “The Lady Mayoress and I have been deeply grieved to learn of the disastrous accident at Nutt’s Corner last evening and we shall be grateful if you will please convey to all who have been bereaved our deepest sympathy in their tragic loss. It is our earnest wish that those who have been injured may have a rapid and complete recovery.”

A memorial service for the four medical students, members of the Jewish faith, who lost their lives in the air crash – three men and one woman – was to be held in the Jewish Prayer House, Carnmoney. The service was conducted by Rabbi Shachter. In addition to Dr Eric Ashby mourners from Queen’s University included Professor J H Biggart, Dean of the Medical Faculty; the Reverend R E Turner, Church of Ireland Dean of Residence; Mr G R Cowie, secretary, and many students. Mr H Hurwitz and Mr H Genn, with other leaders, represented the Jewish community.

The liberation of Europe begins with Normandy beach landings | Belfast News Letter

June 13, 2021June 13, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

Last Sunday, June 6, marked the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the Normandy coast of northern France.

Read my big story from the News Letter last week.

Click on the link below

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/the-liberation-of-europe-begins-with-normandy-beach-landings-3271349

Audience urged to ‘banish pernicious habit’ of alcohol (June 1876)

June 5, 2021June 4, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

A public lecture had been held in the Temperance Hall in Richhill in Co Armagh on the evening of Thursday, May 25, 1876, reported the News Letter.

The lecture, which began at seven o’clock that evening, was by Miss Todd of Belfast on the subject of ‘The present duty of Christians with regard to temperance’.

Mr T H White, Esq, JP, of Tandragee, occupied the chair. After a few preliminary remarks the chairman introduced the lecturer, who “delivered an able lecture”, which was “principally addressed to ladies and heads of families”, urging them to “banish the pernicious habit of introducing intoxicating drinks” to friends and acquaintances “upon occasions of visits” and to “abstain themselves for the sake of others”.

The hall was comfortably filled by “a highly respectable and attentive” audience.

The arrangements “made and carried out by” the Richardson Lodge, LOGT, were perfected, noted the News Letter’s correspondent from Co Armagh.

The choir of the lodge sang some temperance pieces “in good style”.

After the usual votes of thanks, the choir sang ‘God Save The Queen’, with the whole audience standing.

The proceeds, it was reported, was to help clear off the debt on the hall.

McHugh’s of Belfast advertise mourning services (June 1876)

Now and again my eye is caught by a bygone advertisement which had been placed in the News Letter. While looking through the paper editions from this week in 1876 one such grab my attention.

*William Bambridge, Queen Victoria in Mourning, 1862*

Under the headline, Mourning, it read: “Ladies requiring family mourning will find at Messrs McHugh and Company’s extensive establishment, No. 3, Bridge Street, one of the largest and most extensive stock in the kingdom. This house, long established, has a special department devoted entirely to mourning purposes, and is excelled by no other house in the kingdom in the beauty of the work, the quality of the materials employed, or the style or tone of the toilettes. So many ladies wear black by choice that we believe is useful to mention that their black silk, costume, and crape departments stand unrivalled for extent. Their dressmaking department is presided over by experienced lady artistes, where over 100 dressmakers are employed during the season, and every dress is turned out with the care and taste suitable for the occasion.”

Alleged assaults on the high seas (June 1876)

At Newry Petty Sessions on Wednesday, May 31, 1876, Alfred Brown, an able seaman, charged Captain Arthur Byrne, of the ship Alroma, with having fired a pistol at him, assaulted him, and “ill-treated him generally”, on board his ship during a voyage from Newfoundland to Newry.

From the evidence it appeared that on the night of the 27th of April the captain left his post at the look out, and went to the forecastle of the ship to dry his clothes.

The captain came upon deck and found the man out of place.

The Petty Sessions heard that the night was “pitch dark” and the place was “full of fishing boats”, and the captain, “being exasperated”, struck Brown, who fell.

Brown, the captain alleged, then came to the cabin and used threatening language towards him, whereupon the captain struck Brown again, and fired a shot in the air from his revolver, in order to show him he was armed.

Brown alleged that the captain threatened a but to “put a ball through him”.

The captain was fined £1 and costs.

Florence Court presented to National Trust (1954)

Lord Wakehurst, the Governor of Northern Ireland, during this week in 1954 accepted, on behalf of the National Trust, the gift of Florence Court house, near Enniskillen, the home of the Cole family, prominent landowners in Co Fermanagh for nearly three-and-a-half centuries.

*Florence Court in Co Fermanagh. Picture: Discover Northern Ireland (https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/florence-court-p675531)*

Among the guests at the ceremony were Viscount and Lady Brookeborough and the Minster of Finance, Mr Brian Maginess.

His Excellency said that it was historic day for Fermanagh and Ulster generally, for, “from that day forward, Florence Court will be open for everyone to visit”.

He said that he did not think there was anything so typical of the British way of life as their country houses, “which came down to us from more spacious days”.

“It would be tragedy if they were to fall into disrepair or turned into lifeless museums,” remarked Lord Wakehurt.

“Thanks to the National Trust, it has been possible for a great many houses, which might otherwise have been abandoned, or been turned into museums, to be lived in by their owners, and yet for the general public to have the privilege of seeing them and enjoying them.”

He extended to Lord Cole his “very sincere gratitude” and that of the community for “his most generous gift”.

The Earl of Antrim, chairman of the Northern Ireland committee of the National Trust, thanked the Governor for coming in spite of the busy week he had had.

He thanked Lord Cole for his “splendid public-spirited action” in presenting his home to the trust and, therefore, to the nation.

He thanked also the Minister of Finance for having come.

He commented: “What the trust has done, and will do, is due to the Ulster government.”

Mr Maginess said: “In Northern Ireland we do not have a rich architectural legacy, and it is incumbent upon us to preserve what we have.”

He continued: “It is proper that we should be able to look back to the past and be appreciative. By caring for the properties that are handed over to us, we can, in a small way, make our contribution to the future.”

The Earl Enniskillen, HML, Lord Cole’s father, presided at the ceremony, which was held indoors because of inclement weather.

Tea was served in one the flanking pavilions, and afterwards the guests were conducted through the house.

Proposals for raising school leaving age (June 1954)

The Minister of Education (Mr Harry Midgley), replying to Mr William May (Unionist, Ards) at Stormont during this week in 1954, said that the law now stood the school leaving age had to be raised to 16 not later than April 1, 1957, but that the ministry had the power to revoke the order postponing the raising of the age at any time.

He told the House: “I indicated in my second reading speech on the Education (Amendment) Act of 1953 that I hoped to be able to raise the age on April 1, 1956. I have not yet entirely abandoned that hope, but present indications are that I may not be in a position to realise it.”

Replying to another question by Mr May, Mr Midgley said that the total capital expenditure necessary for the full implementation of the Education Act of 1947, including the replacement of existing unsatisfactory school premises and the development of technical education was unlikely to be less than about £25,000,000 over a period of years.

Asked to comment on his reply to Mr May, Mr Midgley said his statement that it might not be possible to have the school leaving age raised in 1956, was made “for the purpose of rousing public opinion to a realisation of the fact that certain local education authorities are in danger of falling behind in their school building programmes”.

He told the News Letter: “It is the duty of all concerned to strive and in main to have this much desired reform realised at the earliest possible date.”

Mr Midgley pointed out that apart from its educational soundness – “the first consideration” – the raising of the school leaving age “would make a substantial contribution to the easing of the unemployment problem”.

He urged educational authorities to “take careful stock” of the position with a view to speeding up their building programme to the utmost.

Bonnie and Clyde shot dead in hail of bullets (May 1934)

May 22, 2021May 20, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

During this week 87 years ago crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the News Letter’s office in Belfast in May 1934 of the last stand of the “desperado” Clyde Barrow and his “cigar-smoking” companion Bonnie Parker, who history have named ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, who had been shot dead by US police in Louisiana.

*Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, sometime between 1932 and 1934, when their exploits in Arkansas included murder, robbery, and kidnapping*

The report read: “A desperado called named Clyde Barrow and a woman companion, Bonnie Parker, were shot dead by police today. Barrow and Bonnie Parker were killed by two deputy sheriffs who had been keeping watch on their rendezvous.

As the desperado and his cigar-smoking woman companion drove near their “hide-out” they saw the police officers and drew their guns. But before they could fire they were shot dead by the sheriffs. The scene of the killing was near the home of a relative of Barrow. The officers had been hiding for nearly six weeks, after receiving instructions to get the pair, dead or alive.”

The report added: “Clyde Barrow, the notorious killer of half a dozen has been hunted by posses of police and sheriffs since 6th April, when a police constable was dead and a police chief kidnapped at Miami (Oklahoma).”

ESCAPE FROM PRISON

Barrow, who had been been given the name of “the worst desperado in the South-West” and also the “Texas Rattlesnake”, had a list of crimes charged against him which stretched as far back as 1926, including six murders, bank robberies, car stealing and kidnapping.

Barrow and a man named Hamilton had escaped from Texas prison in January 1934. It was told of how Barrow had released Hamilton from Tennessee State Prison farm by directing a machine-gun at two wardens who had been escorting the convicts to work.

*Parker’s pose with a cigar and gun gained her an image in the press as a “cigar-smoking gun moll” after police found the undeveloped film in the Joplin house*

According to an eye-witness of the shooting in Louisiana Bonnie and Clyde had been driving along the road “at their usual reckless speed of about 85 miles per hour”, when the police officer sprang out and called upon them to stop.

Bonnie, who was reported to had been, “as usual”, smoking a large cigar, had a machine-gun on her lap, but before she had a chance to get it into position the police fired. The car then shot across the road and crashed in the embankment, and both gangsters fell out dead upon the ground.

TWO MOTHERS GRIEF-STRICKEN

Mrs Parker, the mother the of Bonnie Parker, fainted when she was informed of her daughter’s death, while Clyde Barrow’s mother, Mrs Henry Barrow, broke down in a storm of weeping.

She was reported to have said: “I prayed only last night that I might see him again just once more.”

The Reuters from Louisiana added: “The success of the police in hunting down the couple is hailed in Louisiana as ‘a hundred per cent victory of the law over crime’. It was not just luck on the part of the police, but the result of weeks of watching and waiting by Frank Hamer, a Texas ranger, and his assistants, who were specially assigned to the case.”

The report concluded: “The bandits’ car, which was splintered by the police gunfire, was a regular speeding arsenal. The bandit and girl were found riddled with bullet, the former with a pistol in his hand, and the latter bent over a machine-gun.”

MOTHER OBJECTS TO DOUBLE FUNERAL

The following day Reuters wired the following dispatch from Arcadia, Louisiana: “Inseparable crime, Clyde Barrow, the ‘Texas Rattlesnake’, and Bonnie Parker, his woman companion, have been parted in death Barrow’s mother, who has objected to double funeral service for the bandits who were hunted down and shot police near here yesterday.

“Thousands people have been streaming into Arcadia to view the riddled corpses at local undertaker’s, where they lay open to public inspection. The mother of Bonnie, the cigar-smoking gun woman, stayed by the side of her daughter until the bodies were removed.

*Former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, the Barrow Gang’s relentless shadow after the notorious Eastham prison breakout*

The crowds cheer Frank Hamer, the deputy sheriff, who shot the bandits, upon his every appearance.

“I hated to bust a cap on woman,” said Hamer, “especially when she was sitting. But if it hadn’t been her it would’ve been me.”

MOTHER EJECTED FROM CINEMA

At the end of May 1934 Mrs Barrow, the mother of Clyde Barrow, was ejected from a cinema in Dallas, Texas, for protesting against the showing of a film of the recent death chase after her son.

*Bonny and Clydes car (1932 Ford V-8), riddled with bullet holes after the ambush. Picture taken by FBI investigators on May 23, 1934.*

“You can’t do that to my boy,” she shouted, standing up in the gangway as scenes flashed on the screen depicting speeding officers in police cars and other “preparatory measures” for the killing of “the South-West’s Public Enemy Number One”.

Stalwart ushers hustled Mrs Barrow out, but she started pulling down posters advertising the show. She was then placed under arrest.

*Advertising poster for the film The Bonnie Parker Story (1958)*

Major-General praises ‘soldierlike bearing’ of Belfast Garrison (May 1871)

May 21, 2021May 20, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

The customary half-yearly inspection of the troops from the Belfast garrison took place on Wednesday, May 17, 1871, before Major-General Newton, Commanding the Forces in Ireland, and Colonel Harrison, reported the News Letter.

Members of the 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment’s non-commissioned officers’ Masonic Lodge, India, 1880 (circa). Picture: National Army Museum (https://www.nam.ac.uk/)

The troops garrisoned in the Belfast in May 1871 comprised of the 80^th (Staffordshire Volunteers) and the depot of the 37^th (North Hampshire).

At half-past nine that morning, the men of both regiments assembled on the parade ground and went through a number of manoeuvres ahead of the arrival of the inspecting officer.

A large number of the general public were present in the barrack square during the inspection, reported the News Letter.

At precisely ten o’clock Major-General Newton, accompanied by Captain Brown, ADC, arrived at the barracks and they were received by a salute on bugles.

Major-General Newton then carefully inspected the different companies in open column, “each company shouldering arms”.

He particularly examined the arms and accoutrements of the men, and expressed his satisfaction at their “soldierlike bearing” and “the general order which prevailed”.

Prior to going through the bayonet exercise, the companies marched past the saluting point with the band playing the regimental quick step, after which they formed in “quarter-distance columns”.

The News Letter noted: “The manner in which this manoeuvre was gone through called forth loud cheering from the spectators.”

After Major-General Newton had passed up and down the various lines, the regiment was “equalised for battalion drill and bayonet exercise”.

The men were then put through the manual and platoon exercises by Colonel Smith and the bayonet exercises by Adjutant Huskinson. Captain Amiel, and other captains in order of seniority, then received orders to put the troops through several field movements.

The News Letter reported: “The men were afterwards formed into [a] square by Captain Birney, when Major-General Newton referred in most complimentary language to the soldierly bearing and appearance of the troops, and the manner in which the different movements had been performed.

“He had no doubt the regiment would continue to maintain the high position it had hitherto held.

“He also particularised the men of the 37^th in complimentary language.”

The men were then dismissed to quarters, with the exception of the leading company on parade, who were ordered to take off their knapsacks to go through company drill for the purpose of testing young officers.

The various rooms were then visited by Major-General Newton and the men’s kits were examined; after which, he proceeded to the huts occupied by the married men of the regiment.

The men’s dinners, the hospital, and the schools were next examined in turn, and a minute inspection was made of the books of companies in the orderly-room – “all of which gave satisfaction”.

At half-past seven o’clock, the Major-General and a number of guests dined together in the officers’ mess, the Band of the 89^th Regiment performing a select programme in the meantime.

On the following day, reported the News Letter, Major-General Newton inspected the troop of the 6^th [Regiment of Dragoon Guards] Carabineers who were stationed in the Cavalry Barracks.

The News Letter reported: “After going through a number of movements, the General expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the manoeuvres had been executed, and the general good order of the men and their accoutrements.”

*Napoleon at the Battle of Wagram, 16 July 1809, by Horace Vernet*

Census of the survivors of Napoleon’s ‘Grand Army’ (May 1891)

An interesting census that had been taken in Paris of the survivors of the Napoleon’s Grande Armee (“Grand Army”) had been published, reported the News Letter during this week in 1871.

The doyen de braves, or the oldest warrior, was one Jean Baptiste Piquard, born in December 1790, at Beaumont-en-Argonne, in the department of the Ardennes, where he still “shoulders his cructh and shows how fields were won”. In 1803 he joined the 13^th Light Infantry Regiment, was made a prisoner at Flushing, and spent five years in Portsmouth Dockyard. On liberation he fought at Waterloo, receiving two wounds at Quatre Bras. After the defeat of the French he bought a horse from dragoon and rode home. He was discharged from military service in 1818, “has eever since enjoyed excellent health, and is now able to stump about as a centenarian”.

Next in the list came a member of the marine, “old Cartigny of Hyeres”, born in 1791, he was wounded at Trafalgar, “and is said to be the only survivor in France of that famous fight”. The News Letter noted of old Cartigny that he had experienced better treatment at the hands of English visitors to Hyeres than he had from his own countrymen. It was reported: “His portrait is said to hung up near that Nelson in an English Town Hall.”

Among the other survivors of Waterloo besides Piquard are Fabrege of Montpellier, “age ninety-six”, Denis, “about the same age, now living at Fayt near Calais”, who in reply to “the energetic census-takers” stated that he was still in good health and able to “take his glass”, another survivor was Quinot of Pithiviers in the department of Loiret, Runturier of Matha in the depart of Lower Charente, who was noted as another centenarian and last saw “the Great Emperor” at Recroi; and finally Baillot, who was born in 1793 at Carisey in the department of Yonne, and after Waterloo was discharged from the army “as consumptive”. Bailliot was noted as another “jokist” who wrote to his “interrogators” that he hoped “Dr Koch would make his patients weather consumption as well as he has done”. He also stated that he was a widower and “did not want to marry again”.

*1814. Campagne de France (Napoleon and his staff return from Soissons after the battle of Laon), by Ernest Meissonier, 1864 (Musée d’Orsay)*

There were only two survivors of the disastrous retreat from Moscow, one being Jacques Sabatier, “ninety-nine years old, who was wounded in Russia”. Of Sabatier it was also noted that he was healthy, “but blind”. He lived at Vernoux in the department of Ardeche.

There were also alive about 11 veterans who saw service under “the First Napoleon” but who had not fought at Waterloo.

The report concluded: “A movement is now on foot to provide, most of whom are very poor. The Republican Government has tried to do its best for them, but budgetary difficulties have stood in the way, and the old soldiers have been long neglected.”

Grand military parade held in Ormeau Park, Belfast (1891)

On Wednesday, May 21, 1891, the troops in the local garrison at Belfast proceeded to Ormeau Park, where they were paraded in drill order, and inspected by Major-General Wiseman-Clarke, who was in command of the regimental district.

The Major-General was accompanied by the garrison adjutant, Captain Foster, and Captain Wiseman-Clarke, ADC.

The troops included the 9^th Lancers, the Lancashire Fusiliers, and the Rifle Brigade, “each of which was very fully presented, every available man being present”.

Major Gough commanded the Lancers, Colonel Glencross, the Lancashire Fusiliers, and Colonel Swaine the Rifle Brigade.

The News Letter noted: “The troops having been drawn up in line, the cavalry rode past and the infantry marched past in column and quarter column, and went through the usual manoeuvres.

“The morning was, however, most unfavourable. Rain fell heavily, and the attendance of the public was somewhat small.”

The News Letter added: “After a very satisfactory parade, the men marched back to the garrison. It may be added that the Queen’s birthday will be celebrated on the 30^th inst, when full force will parade in review order, and the Lancashire Fusiliers will probably troop the Queen’s colours. With fine weather the review will, doubtless, be a most imposing one.”

Catching the last train from Donaghadee (April 1950)

May 20, 2021May 18, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

News Letter – 24 April, 1950

Fog signals were detonated, fireworks crackled and the engine driver blew a series of gallant blasts on the whistle as groups at cottage doorways waved and cheered. It might almost have been the opening of a new railway line – in fact it was the closing of an old one.

The last train from Donaghadee to Belfast left the platform of the Down town on Saturday 22 April. 1950, and another chapter in the history of the old “County Down” was closed.

Large crowds came to all the stations on the route to say goodbye. There was a lot of joking and a great deal of the party spirit – inevitably because the twelve coaches were mainly filled with people who were making the trip for the sake of the occasion. They were re-capturing the childhood fun of a train journey made for its own sake.

There were also sad faces along the line – railway men who would be starting work the following Monday working in some connection or the other with “buses”.

In some cases they had years of railway tradition behind them, Mr W J Taylor, station master at Newtownards, although only 49 years old, he had worked on the line for 35 years – for 22 of them as a station master. His father has also worked on the line for 55 years and his brother for 30 years. Small wonder that he was not a happy man that final day.

The railwaymen on the line had come to realise that change was inevitable. Indeed the view that the closure of the line would in fact bring a new security was acknowledged by many. The station master at Donaghadee, Mr A E Jameson, summed up the situation: “We have a future now. Before we had none.”

Most of the people cheering at the stations had brought children with them so that in years to come they could say: “I saw the last train out of Donaghadee.”

There was one person who attended who had in the past century had been brought at a little girl to see the first train in. She was Mrs Miskimmin of Ballyvester, now 90 years of age. She attended with her daughter, she took a taxi-cab from her home to watch the train leave. Eighty years before she had stood on Logan’s Arch, just outside Donaghadee, to watch the first train steam into the station. She was on the same bridge to wave to the last train to steam out of the town.

Although there were no hostility shown at any of the stations the inveterate train travellers were well represented by the “Wavers Club”. This club was formed of travellers to the city who made the daily journey a social occasion. They waved at people along the line and discussed a variety of topics “from theology to football” and they hired a special saloon for the last trip.

Arriving at Belfast they emerged as solemn “funeral” procession. The “body” of the defunct line – “foully murdered by the UTA” – was borne to the end of the platform where the “funeral pyre” was lit and dirges chanted.

Ulster provides bacon not Blarney (April 1950)

News Letter – 19 April, 1950

The Strandtown branch of the Victoria Women’s Unionist Association was addressed by Colonel W W B Topping, KC, MP, Chief Government Whip during which he informed the audience that the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sir Basil Brooke, was making “an outstanding success” of his present tour of the United States.

Topping added that not enough of known of the tremendous part Ulster had played in supplying Britiain’s larder. He remarked that it has often been suggested that Britain owed its bacon and eggs to Eire.

Topping said: “It is not fully appreciated that Eire has never exported one single ounce of bacon to Britain. Whereas in 1948 we sent then 145,000 cwt. representing 3 million rations per week, and in 1949 this quantity rose to 227,000 cwt. We sent them 32 million eggs in 1948 and 38 million in 1949; 15 millions pounds of poultry in 1948 and 18.5 gallons of milk.

He concluded: “Some of the news correspondents who make so much of Eire ‘burying Britain in bacon and eggs’ should have a look at these figures and perhaps then they will realise that in Ulster we supply bacon, not blarney!”

Incapacitated Belfast steamship heads for Barry

News Letter – 22 April, 1950

The Malin Head, a vessel owned by the Belfast Steamship Company, was forced to dock in Barry in Wales after an explosion had incapacitated the ship in the Bristol Channel. Five members of the engine room were injured by the explosion. Four of the men were taken off the Malin Head by a tug and landed at Swansea for treatment in hospital.

The superintendent of the owners, the Belfast Steamship Company, and three relief engineers were flown to the ship to help bring the ship into dock.

The Fair Head which was in the vicinity was summoned to aid the Malin Head but her assistance was not required and the Fair Head, whose skipper was Captain Samuel T Ross of Sunnylands Avenue in Carrickfergus, proceeded to Antwerp.

When wheels roared around the Ards

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

There are several figures given for the numbers of spectators for the first Ards TT race held in 1928, estimates range from several hundred thousand to more than half-a-million spectators. But as racer Kaye Don roared across the finishing line in his Lea-Francis almost six hours after the start to take the chequered flag the success of the day’s racing was beyond doubt.

*The front of the programme for the 1928 Ards TT*

Earlier, as the hour approached for the chequered flag to be dropped at the start of the race a distinguished bunch of dignitaries gathered on the platform at the starting line, they included the Duke of Abercorn, Governor of Northern Ireland, and the entire Ulster Cabinet.

The vast crowd had hardly settled down when the first real thrill occurred of the race. The leaders approached the stand with both Viscount Curzon (Bugatti) and Captain Malcolm Campbell (Bugatti) fighting a good battle in the 3,000 CC class.

Campbell was soon to exit the race. A few seconds after chasing round the circuit with Viscount Curzon (later to become Earl Howe) his Campbell’s Bugatti caught fire. He was two miles from the pits when the fire took hold and there was little hope of fire-fighting appliances getting out on to the circuit to help Campbell save car.

Captain Campbell fought valiantly to save the Bugatti but it was a hopeless task with the chemical fumes, bellowing from the engine and choking some of the spectators who were then asked to stand well back by race officials.

A very distressed Campbell later told the Press: “It is cruel. We put everything we knew into the car, and she was going splendidly. The fire will cost me £1,500. Ah, well it is the fortune of war – for speed racing.”

Spectators at Comber had a great many thrills during the race. One of the Lagonda’s, driven by E R Hall, in trying to pass another competitor, skidded into a wall but the driver was able to right the car and it shot ahead with great speed. Another car crashed into the wall of a house belonging to a Mr Mawhinney and the occupants of the property were lucky to escape uninjured.

Meanwhile, R Plunket Green (Frazer Nash) missed the corner and went up the town’s High Street but he quickly reversed and got himself corrected and back on to the course to the accompaniment of cheers from the crowd. Whilst G A Wilday’s Alvis skidded badly at Mawhinney’s corner and only the superb driving of Wilday prevented the car ramming the wall.

Shortly after 3pm spectators on the west side of Conway Square in Newtownards caused a bit of excitement with their shouts of ‘Fire’ just A V Wilkinson drove in with his Riley from which flames were seen.

Wilkinson had heard the cries of the crowd and pulled the car over just after leaving the square and boy scouts rush forward with fire extinguishers to tackle the tongues of flame which leapt from underneath the bonnet.

*The front of the official programme of the Ards TT in 1936*

It had been a week of rotten luck for Wilkinson who overturned at the Red Stone Quarry during practice on Wednesday and on the following day two of the wheels of his car collapsed in Church Street in Newtownards during the practice session.

Mr W P Noble was one of three Belfast men driving in the Ards TT that day in 1928 which he completed in a Riley. Noble “put up a remarkably good performance” reported the News Letter until his back axle-broke at Bradshaw’s Brae on the 17^th lap.

He told the News Letter: “I had no brakes for three or four laps before that [his retirement] and I think before I stopped I must have run down Bradshaw’s Brae without one of my wheels.

“There was an Alvis and a Lea-Francis overhauling us at the time. I pulled in to the side, but I had no brakes and touched the curb at the side of the road.”

Asked if he had enjoyed the race he replied: “It was great! I think it was the best fun I have had for years.”

Asked whether or not he’d race in a 1929 race if it was held he said: “You’d better believe it! And I’ll take care I have better brakes.”

Mr G C Strachan, competitor from Northern Ireland, had had to ride his luck but even that eventually deserted him when his Gwynne car “ran a big end” owing to the loss of oil pressure and toured into the pit lane after only eight laps.

He said: “The course is in perfect order and I certainly shall go in next year. I was very disappointed when I had to stop for I had been holding back five miles or more per hour on each lap, as I had intended to do that for the first two hundred.”

The other Northern Ireland competitor, Mr A S Wright who was competing in a Ford, “kept hard at it” until a broken cylinder head gasket forced him out of the race. ‘Henry’ as the car was called by the crowd everywhere was received with cheers all round the track and often Mr Wright acknowledged the applause of the crowd with a good-humoured wave of the hand.

As celebrations erupted at the end of the race a News Letter reporter had to battle their way through Press and amateur photographers to get to speak to Kaye Don at the end of the race to get his thoughts on the race. When they did they remarked that they found him clasping in his arms the magnificent RAC trophy which he had won while admirers “were thumping – not patting” his back in “an excess of enthusiasm”. Meanwhile friends of Don’s tried vainly to pull him into the relative shelter of his pit.

In spite of being thus overwhelmed, Don was only too glad to give his impressions for the benefit of readers of “the paper that started the race”.

He remarked: “I enjoyed every minute of that race. What do I think of the track? I think it is excellent and was in jolly fine condition. In fact, it is extraordinarily good. And it is very sporting too.” He added: “Did I enjoy my visit to Ulster? By jove you bet I did!”

“It was glorious!” declared Humphrey Pellew, who accompanied Don in his car as his mechanic. “Mr Kaye Don is an amazing driver,” he said. “It is a pleasure to be with him.”

“Did I enjoy it? Absolutely!” laughed second placed Leon Cushman, after he was hoisted out of his car and over the pit by a crowd of drivers and mechanics to be greeted by his wife who was in the pits. “We only stopped once at the pits to fill up and we had no trouble at all,” he said.

Of the Ards circuit Cushman remarked: “I think it was a very good sporting course, indeed, and I hope to be back next year [he was 8^th overall in the 1929 race]. Yes, I was delighted with my visit to Ulster. I’ve never met more enthusiastic people anywhere. It would have taken a good deal to get me up at 3 o’clock in the morning, but your people turned out in thousands and you can tell them that we liked that.” “Did you have any thrills?” asked the News Letter’s reporter. To which Cushman replied: “Only one. I skidded at a sandbank somewhere about Dundonald. Someone had dropped oil there.”

“Isn’t great,” declared Mrs Cushman, who was “flushed with excitement”. “Yes, indeed, I am glad that it’s over now; but I think my husband did splendidly. You know this was the first time he ever handled an Alvis, and that’s what makes it so wonderful. He has only had a week to practice with the car.

“I’m so glad he finished well, because he’s so keen. He was second in the 200 miles race at Brooklands the year Major Harvey won and I think it’s amazing to do so well here in a strange car.”

Rudolf Hess crash lands in farmer’s field in Scotland (May 1941)

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

May 1941: The debris of the Messerschmitt ME-110 from which Rudolf Hess bailed out over Eaglesham on his historic lone flight to Scotland to plead for an Anglo-German peace on the eve of Germany’s attack on Russia. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

One of the most peculiar happenings during the Second World War occurred this week 80 years ago when Rudolf Hess, the Nazi Party’s third in line, crashed landed in fields in Scotland.

The following statement was issued from 10 Downing Street: “Rudolf Hess, Deputy Fuehrer of Germany and party leader of the Nationalist Socialist Party has landed in Scotland under the following circumstances.

“On the night of Saturday, the 10th, a Messerschmitt 110 was reported by our patrols to have crossed the coast of Scotland and to be flying in the direction of Glasgow.

“Since the Messerschmitt 110 would not have the fuel to return to Germany this report was first disbelieved. Later on a ME 110 crashed near Glasgow with its guns unloaded.

“Shortly afterwards a German office who had baled out was found with his parachute in the neighbourhood suffering from a broken ankle. He was taken to hospital in Glasgow, where he at first gave his name as Horn, but later in declared he was Rudolf Hess.

“He brought with him various photographs of himself at different ages, apparently in order to establish his identity. These photographs were deemed to be photographs of Hess by several people who he knew personally.”

The statement from Downing Street concluded: “Accordingly, an officer of the Foreign Office who was closely acquainted with Hess before the war has been sent up by aeroplane to see him in hospital.”

ALLEGED MADNESS AND SUICIDE

Meanwhile on the night of May 12, 1941, the German radio claimed that Hess had committed suicide by throwing himself from an aeroplane.

The official German statement declared: “It is officially announced by the Nationalist Socialist Party that party member Rudolf Hess, who, as he was suffering from an illness of some years standing, had been strictly forbidden to embark on any further flying activity, was able, contrary to this command, came into possession of an aeroplane.

Nazi Party official Rudolf Hess (1894 – 1987, right) in a car with Italian leader Benito Mussolini, circa 1938. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“On Saturday, May 10, at about 4am, Rudolf Hess set off on a flight from Augsburg, from which he has not so far returned.

“A letter which he left behind unfortunately shows by its distractedness traces of a mental disorder, and it is feared that he was a victim of hallucinations.

“The Fuehrer at once ordered the arrest of the adjutants of party member Hess, who alone had cognisance of these flights and did not, contrary to the Fuehrer’s orders of which they were fully aware, either prevent or report the flights.”

PLOUGHMAN FINDS HESS IN HIS FIELD

A ploughman called David McLean was the man who found Hess. He found him lying injured in a field and assisted him to his house, where Hess gossiped with McLean’s mother and other relatives for almost an hour before he was taken away by officials.

He told his story to one of the Scottish newspapers. He said: “I was in the house and everyone else was in bed late at night when I heard the plane roaring overhead. As I ran on to the back of the farm I heard a crash and saw the plane burst into flames in a field about 200 yards away.

“I was amazed and bit frightened when I saw a parachute dropping slowly downwards through the gathering darkness. Peering upwards, I could see a man swinging from the harness. I immediately concluded it was German airman baling out, and raced back to the house for help.

From left to right, Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess, and Joachim von Ribbentrop face justice at the Nuremberg Trials following World War II, circa 1946. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“They were all asleep, however. I looked round hastily for some weapon, but could find nothing except a hayfork.

“Fearing I might lose the airman, I hurried round by myself again to the back of the house, and in the field there I saw the man lying on ground with the parachute nearby. He smiled and as I assisted him to his feet he thanked me, but I could see that he had injured his foot in some way.

DECLINED A CUP OF TEA

“I helped him into the house. By this time my old mother and my sister had got out of bed and made tea. The stranger, however, declined any tea and smiled when we told him we were very fond of it in this country. He said: “I never drink tea as late as this – I will only have a glass of water.

“Word was sent to the military authorities, and in the meantime our visitor chatted freely to us and showed us pictures of his little boy, of whom he spoke very proudly.

“He told us he had left Germany about four hours previously and had landed because nightfall was approaching. And I could see from the way he spoke that he was a man of culture.”

MAGNIFICENT SUIT

Continuing his tale of finding the deputy fuehrer, Mr McLean recalled: “His English, although it had a foreign accent, was very clear and he understood every word we said to him. He was a striking-looking man, standing over six feet in height, and was wearing a very magnificent flying suit. His watch and identity bracelet were of gold.

“He did not discuss his journey and, indeed, he seemed to treat what seemed to us a most hazardous flight as a pleasure trip. He seemed quite confident that he would be well treated and repeatedly expressed how lucky he had been in landing without mishap. He was most gentlemanly in his attitude to my old mother and my sister, and stiffly bowed to them when he came in and before he left.”

Mr McLean concluded: “He would not tell us who he was and we did not like to press the question, as we assumed he was just another German airman who had been brought down. When the officials came on the scene he greeted them with a smile and assured them that he was unarmed and stood up and held his arms out to allow them to frisk him. He was then taken away.”

THE MYSTERY OF HESS

“As yet it is impossible to say with any assurance precisely what significance to attach to the dramatic arrival of Rudolf Hess, the Nazi leader, from Germany to Britain,” declared the News Letter editorial comment on Wednesday, May 14.

The editorial continued: “We know that, contrary to Berlin assertions, he is not insane, or even mentally affected, and the suggestion that he ‘laboured under the impression that by personal sacrifice he could prevent a development which, in his eyes, would only end in the complete destruction of the British Empire’ is too fatuous for serious consideration.

“The most plausible of several plausible theories seems to be that a rift in the Nazi lute set Hess thinking about his personal safety, and that he flew to Britain in the hope of saving his life.

Circa 1933: German Dictator, Adolf Hitler addressing a rally in Germany. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“Surely the war has produced nothing more remarkable than the fact that one of our arch-enemies should regard these islands as one part of Europe in which to seek shelter. There are those, of course, who suspect a German trap but, pending further light on the mystery, it seems reasonable to accept the explanation offered by Otto Strasser, a former associate of the Nazi leaders, who is now in America – namely, that all is not well in Germany, and that in Hess’s flight we have an indication of the unrest that exits.”

SHOULDN’T BE TRUSTED

Meanwhile a letter to the News Letter in the same edition reflected public suspicions of Hesse. It stated: “Hess lands in Britain, and people applaud! He may be running for his life; he may prove of value to the government; there may have been a split in the Nazi camp; but – can we afford at this critical juncture in our history to trust the word of the enemy? He is a German and, worse, a Nazi. If he has come here because of trouble within, why has he abandoned the son and wife he so much adores? In the past he has been guilty of mass murder. Is Britain to be fooled by such a band of thugs? There have been many quislings elsewhere. Suppose, for one instant, that Lord Halifax, Anthony Eden, or even Mr Churchill were to land in Germany, what would the result be?”

WISHED TO SEE DUKE OF HAMILTON

Later that week the News Letter reported the news that when Hess had landed in Scotland he was attempting to reach the estate of Dungavel, the seat of the Duke of Hamilton, whom he wished to meet. The place where Hess landed was 15 miles from Dungavel and he was, it was said, “obviously very anxious to meet the Duke”.

Hess had talked freely and given British authorities “highly useful information”. When he landed in Scotland he had said that he had information to give the Duke that would be “of the greatest use in overthrowing the tyranny in the Reich”.

It was also revealed that Hess had written to the Duke some months previously. The letter was handed to the authorities and no reply was sent. The Duke, once known as the “boxing marquess” was aged 38 and had always been a keen amateur sportsman who Hess had met at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936. The Duke, noted the News Letter, was on active service.

MILITARY SECRETS

Meanwhile in Berlin the story was of the “considerable number of notes” that Hess had left behind him before flying to Britain.

“From these,” it was stated, “it may be deduced that he thought himself in a position to reach a peaceful understanding between Germany and Britain if he could succeed in bring the truth to Britain.

“The motive of his action, which was in complete misunderstanding of the actual possibilities – and in the manner in which it was carried out can only be explained by the existence of mental derangement – appears in the first instance to have been prompted by reasons of humanity, for which he was very receptive by reason of his physical ailment.

“Rudolf Hess was naturally not initiated in the plans of the high military command of the Reich, which are known only to a very small circle, but he knew enough to be convinced that the prosecution of the war by the Germans and the British to the bitter end, irrespective of what support Britain might receive, would end not only in the defeat but in the destruction of Britain.

“He knew that Britain had made false statements only about the military but also about economic conditions in Germany.”

The German statement added: “From his notes it is indisputably established that in his opinion the continuation of the war by Britain was entirely due to public opinion being misled by Churchill and his gang, who, he wrote, are alone responsible for preventing peace being established, which must mean terrible consequences for the people living on the island.

“He believed, and he himself said, that it would be possible to convince Britain of the insane of her leaders if he could succeed in enlightening other British personalities of the true position.”

Company commander pays to tribute to fallen Bangor soldier (May 1918)

May 17, 2021May 16, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

The Co Down Spectator, in May 1918, carried more sad news of recent deaths in the Great War.

The paper had received details that Second Lieutenant S K Moore of the Rifle Brigade was killed in action on February 25, he was aged 27 years old. Moore was a son of the late Mr John and Annabella Moore of Central Avenue in Bangor and grandson of the late Rev John Edmonds of Tully in Longford.

He was the brother of Mrs William Corbett of Prospect Road, Bangor.

During the early part of the war Moore had been enlisted in South Africa and had served under Botha against the Germans in the South-West campaign. On the completion of that campaign he was discharged and re-enlisted in the South African Infantry for service in Europe.

After a brief spell in Egypt Moore was transferred to Western Front where he was wounded twice. In 1917 he was sent to a cadet unit where he qualified for a commission and was gazetted to the Rifle Brigade.

Writing to Moore’s relatives his Company Commander said: “After some useful work your gallant brother was hit in the head by a machine-gun bullet. Everything possible was done for him but he was unconscious from the start and died on the way to the dressing station.

His loss is keenly felt by his brother officers and his men who loved him and would have done anything for him. I felt it especially as he was my companion for the last two months in and out of line. He was brave, and died, as he had lived, a soldier. Please accept my deepest sympathy, and always remember that he has made the supreme sacrifice he has gone to a land of everlasting peace.”

Meanwhile a military funeral was held on the Saturday for Private Thomas Stevenson of Bangor Demesne who had died at Aldershot Hospital earlier the week.

News of the death of Private Stevenson had to be withheld from his father, Mr William Stevenson, who had just undergone a serious operation at Bangor Hospital. Private Stevenson’s remains were returned to Bangor from England on the Friday evening and left over night in the Parish Church where a service was conducted the following day by the Rev J R McDonald MA.

The funeral took place at 2pm with full military honours, the chief mourners were the deceased’s esteemed grandfather Mr Henry Maltman and his brother Mr Edward Stevenson.

Will of Lord Basil Temple Blackwood concluded

The Co Down Spectator, in May 1918, reported details of the will of the late Second-Lieutenant Ian Basil Gawaine Temple Blackwood of the Grenadier Guards who had been killed in action in France on July 4, 1917.

The son of the first Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, and the brother of the present peer residing at 64 Glebe Place, Chelsea, London. Lord Blackwood had been the Judge Advocate in South Africa, Assistant Colonel Secretary for the Orange River Colony and Colonial Secretary for Barbados, and finally the private secretary to Lord Winbourne.

The will, which was dated October 6, 1916 left property of a value of £6,685 14s 11d. The residue of his property was left to the first son of his brother, Lord Frederick Temple Blackwood, when he reached the age of 21 years old, failing this the residue would be inherited by the daughters of Lord Dufferin.

Funeral of highly-esteemed clergyman

The funeral of the highly-esteemed clergyman, the Reverend G B Sullivan, MA, was held the previous Saturday, reported the Co Down Spectator, in May 1918.

A short service was held by the Reverend J A Carey, MA assisted by the Rev J R McDonald, MA before the remains of the Rev Sullivan were taken from his late residence on Dufferin Avenue and taken to the family burying ground at Aughadrumsee near Clones in Monaghan where 27 years previously he had been the parish rector.

The route of the cortege was via Gray’s Hill and Main Street and his remains were borne on the shoulders of members of the Orange Orders who attended the funeral in full regalia. Several Orange brethren carried beautiful floral wreathes including one from the Commercial Temperance LOL 447 and another from the Royal Black Preceptory No 387 both of which the Rev Sullivan had been the highly respected chaplain.

At Clones the hearse was met by mourners from the deceased’s former parish and conveyed to the Church at Aughadrumsee where a service was conducted by the rector the Rev Mr Eccles and the Rev Mr Batty. Mr Carey from Bangor officiated at the graveside.

Conlig Presbyterian Church appoints new minister

At a meeting of the congregation of the Conlig Presbyterian Church held the previous Monday to consider the appointment of a successor to the late Reverend Hugh Porter.

The following members of the Commission of the Presbytery in charge of the congregation during the vacancy were also in attendance including the Moderator Reverend W A Hill, BA (Bangor), Reverend William Wright, DD (Newtownards), Reverend James Salters, MA (Newtownards) and Mr J Gordon, elder of Donaghadee.

Two names were put forward but as the mind of the congregation had decided more or less unanimously in favour of Mr J S Wilson, BA, DD, a licentiate of the Armagh Presbytery. It was agreed that a call should be made to Mr Wilson, the motion was issued by Mr R McKee of Rathgael and seconded by Mr D C Malcolmson.

The Spectator then provided details on the new minister-elect for Conlig Presbyterian. Currently Mr Wilson was the assistant minister at the Newtownbreda Church in Belfast.

He had a very distinguished University career; he entered Queen’s University in October 1907 gaining entrance with a classical scholarship. In April 1908 he secured a first place and first prize in Latin, Greek and English.

Further honours in the Classics were awarded to Mr Wilson and in June 1911 he was asked to become a lecturer in Classics at Magee College as an assistant to Dr McMaster while at the same time pursuing his Theology Studies at the college.

He held this post for five sessions until 1916, prior to this in April 1915 Wilson was awarded a degree of BD by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty of Ireland.

Troubles of a Bangor journalist

It was reported that Mr E Blyth, the editor of the Southern Star published in Skibbereen and the former editor of the North Down Herald had been arrested the previous Saturday in the county Cork town for allegedly disobeying a military order directing him to reside in Ulster.

The order had been issued against Blyth three week previously in Bantry where he was engaged as a Gaelic League teacher. He was accompanied to the railway station by a large number of local Sinn Feiners, the Southern Star had recently been acquired by Sinn Fein.

Bust of Sir Edward Carson for Belfast City Hall

A marble bust of Sir Edward Carson was to be erected at Belfast City Hall reported the Co Down Spectator this week in May 1918.

The paper reported how the city hall had decided to erect the bust of Sir Edward when the sculptor Mr John Tweed made an offer to the Lord Mayor to execute the bust and that the council could present the £500 fee for the work to the Ulster Red Cross Fund.

After conferring with a number of the city’s leading citizens it was unanimously agreed that the bust should be commissioned.

Accordingly, the Lord Mayor then relayed the news to Sir Edward who kindly consented to give sittings to Tweed thus making it possible for Belfast to have a bust of the “Ulster Leader”.

A fund was opened by circular to raise the funds for the bust, which received extensive subscriptions from throughout the city and the country.

Death of John Redmond – leader of nationalist Ireland

The death of Mr John Redmond was met with deep regret reported the Co Down Spectator in May 1918.

Redmond, who was regarded as the leader of Nationalist Ireland prior to the rise of Sinn Fein, had died the previous Wednesday in London after undergoing an operation for cancer.

Despite signs of improvement, the paper editorial said: “the weight of years, the anxieties incidental to his political position, coupled with the domestic losses he had sustained of late years told their tale upon his hitherto strong constitution, and his friends realised that the end was not far off”.

The doctors attending Mr Redmond released the following statement: “We regret to announce that Mr John Redmond MP died at 7.45 this morning, Wednesday.

“Owing to several serious attacks of illness, a severe operation faced with great courage which had become imperatively necessary because of intestinal obstruction.

“This was relieved by the operation and for some days satisfactory progress was maintained.

“After a fairly comfortable day on Tuesday heart failure supervened during the night and after a few hours Mr Redmond peacefully passed away. Signed R P ROWLAND, MD, FRCS AND H H MILLS MD.

The report continued that Redmond’s death would be mourned by both political followers and those diametrically opposed to Redmond’s views regarding the government of Ireland.

Weather dampens the SS Lord Erne sea trials (May 1892)

May 16, 2021May 16, 2021 Darryl ArmitageLeave a comment

On the invitation of the directors of the Irish Shipowner’s Company Limited, a number of gentlemen proceeded on the trial trip of the SS Lord Erne, the latest addition to the company’s fleet, reported the News Letter in May 1892.

*Alexandra Graving Dock, Belfast. NLI Ref: L_CAB_06638. Picture: National Library of Ireland*

The weather was anything but favourable for such a ceremony. After an exceptionally fine morning it became overcast at about eleven o’clock and rain began to fall shortly afterwards and continued without intermission until evening.

The company, according to the notification, joined the Bangor steamer Erin at the jetty of the Alexandra Graving Dock, and her mission was to convey the guests aboard the Lord Erne which was cruising in the Carrick Roads.

Shortly after half-past eleven the Erin left her moorings and was soon in the company of the eight thousand tonner.

A haze unluckily prevailed and this only added to the discomforts of a drenching rain and minimised the beauty and pleasure of the sight of the SS Lord Erne which had been decorated in bunting and flew the Union Jack from the ship’s stern.

The SS Lord Erne’s massive engines were in motion and the twin screws were playing in a manner which indicated that the vessel had been under full steam. Slowly the Erin cautiously drew alongside the “huge mass of steel” and the contrast which greeted those on the deck of the small steamer was breath-taking as they viewed the “Leviathan” which they pulled alongside.

Some difficulty was experienced in boarding the SS Lord Erne but once a ladder had been fixed “the most aldermanic of the company clambered squirrel-like on deck” with a relief to be spared from the cruelties of the elements.

The SS Lord Erne was the latest succession of fine ships which had recently built on the Queen’s Island for the same owners, the previous one being the four-masted sailing ship Lord Templemore, which had only left Belfast five weeks previously. Messrs Harland & Wolff had in fact built all the vessels of the Irish Shipowner’s Company Limited fleet in Belfast with the exception of the Lord Bangor which had been purchased while undergoing completion on the Clyde.

The SS Lord Erne was under the command of Captain James Dunn, the commodore of the fleet and the officers being Chief, John Parker, second R A S Harrison, third, William Wright and fourth, William Baillie. The engineers included Chief, Dodds, second, Frost, third, Cowper, fourth, Long and fifth, McKibbin. All told the SS Lord Erne carried a crew of fifty-two hands.

Gladstonian addresses Ballymoney crowd (June 1892)

Mr William H Dodd QC who had been selected to contest North Antrim at the forthcoming general election in 1892 as a Gladstonian against the Conservative candidate Mr C C Connor JP of Belfast this week addressed an open-air meeting of tenant-farmers at Seacon, three miles outside of the town of Ballymoney.

Mr Dodd had to field a number of questions which of which the first was whether or not he agreed with the tenant-farmers of North Antrim that there should be compulsory sale of land? To which he said: “Yes, I do”.

*Main Street, Ballymoney, Co Antrim. NLI Ref: L_ROY_07004. Picture: National Library of Ireland*

The second question asked if he would extend the compulsion to labourers too. He replied: “I would unto others as I would that they should do unto to me, and I would include the labourers in the benefit of the legislation that is to come”.

On a question on local government Mr Dodd’s insisted that the scheme of county government which had proposed was totally useless.

The fourth question was: “What about Home Rule?” To which Mr Dodd replied: “I believe in the great policy of conciliation and I hope to see the day when Protestants will not attack Roman Catholics and when Roman Catholics will not hate Protestants, and when the supreme law of the Christian religion ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens,’ shall be the rule of every man’s life.”

Farmer prosecuted for attacking doctor’s hat (June 1892)

A farmer named Patrick Doherty appeared before Buncrana Petty Sessions this week on charges of having attacked Dr Bernard, a senior medical practitioner of Londonderry.

The court heard that Doherty had attacked Dr Bernard as he took a stroll along the shoreline towards Buncrana close to the golf links with a large pole.

Doherty had ran roaring at Dr Bernard and had struck his hat off he then struck the doctor on the side and on the hip before proceeding to take his rage out on the Dr Bernard’s hat which “battered into pieces as it lay on the ground”.

Cockhill near Buncrana in Co Donegal. NLI Ref: L_ROY_01268. Picture: National Library of Ireland

Dr Bernard told the court that while he was severely shocked and left with bruises he at no time believed that Doherty had any intention of murdering him.

He appealed to the magistrated to be lenient with Doherty as he did not feel that the man deserved a heavy punishment for his actions.

In cross-examination it was revealed that Doherty had been thrown into a rage because he believed that Dr Bernard had trespassed on his land and had smashed a wire fence, something which the doctor refuted.

The magistrates sent Doherty to jail for a month with hard labour and ordered him to give security to keep the peace for six months on his release.