Ireland's Forgotten Fleet during World War II

Ireland's Forgotten Fleet during World War II was a crucial part of the country's contribution to the war effort, despite being largely overlooked in history books.

The Irish Mercantile Marine played a vital role in keeping the country's economy afloat, transporting vital goods and supplies to and from the war-torn continent.

The fleet's importance cannot be overstated, with over 100,000 tons of cargo being transported by Irish ships every month.

Despite its significance, the Irish Mercantile Marine's contributions during World War II remain largely forgotten, a testament to the country's neutrality in the conflict.

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The Irish Mercantile Marine played a crucial role in the Allied war effort during World War II.

The Irish government declared neutrality at the start of the war, but this didn't stop the country's merchant fleet from contributing significantly to the war effort.

The Irish merchant navy was a vital lifeline for the Allies, transporting essential supplies and goods across the globe.

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The Irish merchant fleet was comprised of over 300 ships, which was a significant force considering the country's small size and population.

Irish sailors risked their lives on a daily basis, navigating treacherous waters to deliver vital cargo to Allied ports.

Despite the risks, the Irish merchant navy remained committed to its duties, earning the respect and gratitude of the Allies.

The Irish government provided subsidies to the merchant fleet to support its war efforts, recognizing the importance of the role it played.

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Irish ships were not always protected from U-boat encounters, despite Vizeadmiral Karl Dönitz's standing order to U-boats on 4 September 1940, which defined belligerent, neutral, and friendly powers.

The order included Ireland as a neutral power, and Dönitz warned U-boats to strictly observe this prohibition out of consideration for Ireland's neutrality.

Wolf Jeschonnek, commander of U-607, was mildly reprimanded for sinking the Irish Oak, with Dönitz describing it as an "understandable mistake by an eager captain".

U-46 sank the Luimneach on the Lisbon run, and her commander recorded in his war diary that the ship was flying a British or Irish flag.

A supplement to Dönitz's order found after U-260 was scuttled off Cork read that Irish ships and convoys were not to be attacked within the blockade zone if they were seen to be such, but there was no special obligation to determine neutrality.

The Irish Willow was stopped by U-753 on 16 March 1942, and Chief Officer Harry Cullen and four crew members rowed to the U-boat to present their papers.

They were treated to schnapps and given a bottle of cognac to bring back to the Irish Willow, and later performed a dangerous rescue of 47 British sailors from the Empire Breeze.

Rough seas prevented the Irish Elm's crew from pulling their rowboat alongside U-638 on 20 March 1943, so the interview was conducted by shouting.

During the conversation, the Elm's Chief Officer Patrick Hennessy gave Dún Laoghaire as his home address, and the U-boat's commander, Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Oskar Bernbeck, asked if the strike was still on in Downey's, a pub near Dún Laoghaire harbour.

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The Irish Mercantile Marine played a crucial role during World War II, with many ships being requisitioned by the British government. These ships were used for a variety of purposes, including transportation and supply.

Some notable ships that were part of the Irish Mercantile Marine during this time include the Ardmore, which was owned by the City of Cork Steam Packet Company and was requisitioned on November 11, 1940. The Irish Alder, owned by Irish Shipping, was also part of the fleet.

The ships were often crewed by experienced sailors, many of whom had been working on the Irish coast for years. For example, the City of Limerick was owned by the City of Limerick Steamship Co and was requisitioned on July 15, 1940, and was crewed by sailors who knew the waters off the Irish coast.

Here is a list of some of the ships that were part of the Irish Mercantile Marine during World War II:

Imports played a crucial role in Ireland's economy during World War II.

In 1940, a notorious incident known as the "Battle of Dowra" took place on the border of Leitrim and Fermanagh, where Revenue crews intercepted over one hundred smugglers with donkey loads of flour.

Imports were a necessary evil, as a shortfall remained despite domestic production. The Irish government had to resort to importing goods to meet the demand.

In 1942, the Allies restricted wheat deliveries to Ireland, but the Irish government managed to negotiate a deal to receive 30,000 tons of wheat in return for withholding the export of Guinness beer.

The restrictions on imports led to a series of creative solutions, including the use of neutral markings to protect ships from German bombers.

The Irish Merchant Marine during the Emergency played a significant role in the war effort. Irish ships were used for various purposes, including transporting goods and supplies.

The Arklow Schooners, a fleet of ships owned by the Arklow Shipping Company, were among those that played a crucial part. The Agnes Craig, one of their ships, is listed in the records.

In contrast, the Antelope, owned by Arklow Schooners, does not have a recorded date of operation. This highlights the importance of accurate records in understanding the history of these ships.

The City of Cork Steam Packet Company operated the Ardmore, which was sunk on November 11, 1940. The Innisfallen, another ship owned by the company, was sunk on December 21, 1940.

The British and Irish Steam Packet Company owned the Dundalk, but its date of operation is not recorded. The Meath, one of their ships, was sunk on August 16, 1940.

The Dublin Gas Company owned the Glenageary, but its date of operation is not recorded. The Glencree and Glencullen, also owned by the company, do not have recorded dates of operation.

The Irish Shipping Company operated the Irish Alder, but its date of operation is not recorded. The Irish Oak, one of their ships, was sunk on May 15, 1943.

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The Limerick Steamship Co owned the Clonlara, which was sunk on August 22, 1941. The Kyleclare, another ship owned by the company, was sunk on February 23, 1943.

Here is a list of some of the ships that were sunk during the Emergency:

The sinking of these ships highlights the risks faced by those who served in the Irish Merchant Marine during the Emergency.

Looking at the crew lists from ships hit, we find that 628 Irish people were located on these vessels. A staggering 511 of them lost their lives in the war.

The numbers are a sobering reminder of the human cost of conflict.

The Rescue of 168 Sailors was a remarkable display of bravery and selflessness by the crew of the Irish merchant ship, The Kerlogue. They risked their lives to save 168 enemy sailors from certain death in 1943.

The Kerlogue's crew was forced to choose who to save and who to leave behind, a heart-wrenching decision that weighed heavily on their minds. This difficult choice was a harsh reality of war.

The Kerlogue grew so dangerously overloaded that no one knew if it would survive amid the massive Biscay waves.

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The Rescue of 168 Sailors was a remarkable event that showcased the bravery and selflessness of the crew of the Kerlogue.

In 1943, the crew of the Kerlogue risked their lives to save 168 German sailors from certain death.

The Kerlogue was a tiny cargo ship, but its crew was determined to save as many lives as possible.

The ship was forced to choose who to save and who to leave behind, which was a heart-wrenching decision.

The Kerlogue grew so dangerously overloaded that no one knew if it would survive amid the massive Biscay waves.

The rescue was a true testament to the courage and compassion of the Kerlogue's crew.

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Éamon de Valera's speech on 16 May 1945 expressed the nation's gratitude to the men of the Mercantile Marine who faced the perils of the ocean to bring essential supplies.

The Ringsend area of Dublin has a long maritime tradition, and during the 1970s, streets were named after ships that were lost, such as Breman Road, Breman Grove, and Cymric Road.

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The Emergency Service Medal was awarded to all who served six months or longer on an Irish-registered ship during the Emergency.

On 24 September 2001, a plinth and plaque were erected in the National Memorial Arboretum in England to commemorate those crews lost on neutral Irish registered vessels during 1939-45.

The Irish nation is profoundly grateful for the debt of honour owed to all shipmates, irrespective of nationality, who lost their lives in the Second World War.

In Dublin, an annual commemoration is held on the third Sunday of November to honor those who died at sea, particularly on Irish ships during the Emergency.

The Cork commemoration is held on the fourth Sunday of November in the former offices of the White Star Line, while the Belfast commemoration is held on the second Sunday of May to honor those who have no grave but the sea.

The MV Kerlogue Exhibition is a must-visit for anyone interested in the Irish Mercantile Marine during World War II.

The exhibition showcases the MV Kerlogue, a merchant ship that was converted into a rescue vessel in 1940, and highlights its heroic efforts to save sailors from sinking ships.

In 1940, the MV Kerlogue was converted into a rescue vessel, and it went on to rescue 120 sailors from sinking ships.

The exhibition features personal belongings and stories of the sailors who were rescued by the MV Kerlogue, providing a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during World War II.

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The Kerlogue commemorative exhibition was opened by the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in 1994.

A cadet rescued by the Kerlogue, W. D. Klueber, wrote a summary document for the occasion, which is an audio transcript of 'The Story of the German Navy Personnel interned in Ireland 1944-1945'.

This document provides a unique perspective on the experiences of German Navy personnel during their time in Ireland.

The story of the Kerlogue is a significant one, highlighting the humanitarian efforts of the Irish people during World War II.

The exhibition and the document it was based on serve as a testament to the resilience and compassion of the Irish people during a time of great turmoil.

During World War II, the Irish Mercantile Marine played a crucial role in maintaining trade routes between Ireland and Britain. The cross-channel trade accounted for most of Ireland's trade, with Britain accounting for half of imports and almost all exports.

Ireland's ships ranged in age, from the Dundalk-built vessels to the Brooklands-built ships from 1859. The most important vessels to Ireland were the ten colliers, while to Britain, the livestock carriers were key.

Germany initially respected Ireland's neutrality, apologizing for the first attack on the collier Kerry Head and paying compensation. However, losses came from mines rather than direct attacks, with the Meath suffering such a fate.

In August 1940, Germany required Ireland to cease food exports to Britain, declaring a large area around Britain to be a "scene of warlike operations." Lord Haw-Haw threatened to bomb Dundalk if the export of cattle to Britain continued.

The trade continued despite the threat, with the first attack after the German ultimatum being against the schooner Lock Ryan. Germany acknowledged the attack but refused to pay compensation, claiming it was in the blockaded area.

During 1940, nine Irish ships were lost, including the Munster, Leukos, City of Limerick, Meath, Kerry Head, Ardmore, Isolda, and Innisfallen.

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