Thursday 29 August 2013

The Loss of Astrid

95-year-old Astrid tall ship run aground off the west coast of Cork, Ireland. Launched in 1918, Astrid was a 42-meter (138 ft) lugger built in the Netherlands. It was later transferred to Swedish ownership, renamed to the Astrid and sailed on the Baltic Sea until 1975. It then sailed under a Lebanese flag and was allegedly used for drug smuggling. After being found burnt out on the coast of England in the early 1980s, it was overhauled and used as a sailing training vessel. Astrid ran aground off the coast of Ireland on 24 July 2013, and subsequently sank, with all on board rescued.

Photograph of Astrid by Ger Kelliher



While attempting to enter the harbour near Kinsale, County Cork, Astrid ran aground near the Sovereign Islands, in southern Ireland. It was one of 50 vessels participating in Ireland’s 2013 Gathering Cruise between Oysterhaven and Kinsale. It suffered engine failure, which prevented it from pulling itself off of the rocks. On board were 23 teenagers and 7 adults. The thirty crew members were rescued from the tall ship.

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