During the First World War, the naval authorities banned sailing in Dublin Bay. The reason given by Admiral Le Marchant to the flag officers of the Dun Laoghaire (then Kingstown) clubs was “that the presence of many boats who would have to be kept under observation every time they entered and left the harbour would be an inconvenience to his officers”.
Not stated was a likely reason why this observation might be deemed necessary – a number of prominent yachtsmen had been involved in landing the arms for use by the by the Irish volunteers. Besides Erskine Childers, there had been Conor O’Brien, whose bust graces the vestibule of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Sir Thomas Myles, former president of the Royal College of Surgeons, honorary surgeon in Ireland to King George V and member of the Royal St. George Yacht Club and the Royal Irish Yacht Club.
But it was a time of conflicted loyalties. A large group of the DBSC membership (sixty eight) volunteered for service in the British forces. Eight were killed in action. These included the Club’s Commodore, Viscount Crichton, M.V. O, and D.S.O. who died in the early stages of the war. The list reads as follows: W.P. Bridge (corporal Royal Dublin Fusiliers), J.E. Burke (Lieutenant, Royal Dublin Fusiliers), R.B Clegg, Viscount Crichton (Major, Royal Horse Guards), Herbert S. Findlater (corporal, Royal Dublin Fusiliers), F.A. Marrable (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), Harry North and E.T. Weatherell (Lieutenant, Royal Dublin Fusiliers).
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On Sunday next, the 11th November many in Ireland will be remembering the deaths of family members in the war. In the afternoon DBSC will remember its own members who died in the conflict with a brief ceremony before the start of Turkey Shoot racing.
Procedure as follows:
Sound Signal. Reading from the committee vessel of the names of DBSC members killed in action during the First World War. Sound Signal and flags lowered. One minute silence. Sound signal. Flags raised.
Competitors are asked to observe the minute’s silence.
Donal O’Sullivan
Hon. Secretary
