CROSSHAVEN COASTGUARD STATION

Officers house contains 6 rooms, kitchen and scullery. Mens houses 11 in number contain 4 rooms and kitchen each. Watch-house attached to buildings. Boat-house on the beach opposite Officers house. The houses were erected by the Crown in 1864. Water laid on to 11 houses, cost £167-2-6d. in 1920.

“ A coastguard station, one of eight in the Cove District”

Reference: “A Topographical Directory of Ireland” by Samuel Lewis 1837

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In the 1840’s the Police barracks overlooked the Coastguard station. All the 11 houses now forming the square belonged to the Commissioners of Customs and were occupied by coastguards, who also had plots in a six-acre field in Knocknagore – possibly the one facing Hoddersfield which is known as ‘Kingsland’. In 1850 the coastguards were William Supple, James Haxton, William Sisk, Thomas Patterson, William Asken, Edmund Lavery, Joseph Stivy, John Kingswell, Christopher Pierce and the Chief coastguard was Frederick Gough Esq.

Reference; History of Crosshaven.

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Crew of one of the boats of the Crosshaven Coast Guard lost with all hands in a storm. Chief Officer at Crosshaven was Lt. Elliott.

Reference; The Times (London) 28th.June 1833.

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To Sir W.Daniels

Ballycroneen 16th.February 1838.

I wish to acquaint you that the schooner ‘Tyger’ of Miramachi, last from Southampton for Swansea, in ballast, came on shore in Kelly’s Cove, about 2 a.m., crew saved. A quantity of dead pigs have been washed ashore, which leads me to suppose that a vessel has been lost to windward.

Signed Thomas Wood, Chief Boatman, Crosshaven Coastguard Station. February 14th.

Reference; Evening Freeman Tuesday 16th.February 1838.

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Crosshaven station

14^th.February. It is my painful duty to inform you of the total loss of a brig, this afternoon at 4 p.m. bearing S. by East from the Light-house quarter of a mile distant. Two of my men saw her scudding for the harbour under foresail and reefed foretopsail. She was struck by a tremendous sea which threw her on her beams end, and being struck by a second sea she foundered. She appeared to have a yellow ribbon, painted ports and very white sails. H.R.Glynn. Ballycroneen. 16 February 1838

Reference; Morning Register 20^th.February 1838

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Crosshaven. 19^th.February 1838. – I beg you will give publicity in your paper of a coat of arms found near Sea-mount near Crosshaven.

A shield, ground blue, edged gold, crest, an owl, on turban, no quarterings, two owls, a chequered bar, and one owl beneath, This I believe to be connected to the recent wrecks, either as a figure head, or an ornament abaft, which I hope may be the means of discovering the names of these who have suffered.

The above shield can be seen at the Coast Guard watch-house at the Custom House, Cork.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant. Henry R. Glynn. Lt. R.N.

Reference: Morning Register 24^th February 1838.

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The Cork Examiner 12th.March 1867 reported;

It is stated that an attack was expected on the Crosshaven Coastguard station on Friday night (8th.March) and that military had been dispatched from Camden Fort, to protect the station.

It does not appear, however, that any attack was made.

Lighthouse struck by a shot. 1892.

Captain G.Usborne R.N. Deputy Harbour Master of Cork Harbour, states that he had heard of the lighthouse being struck by a shot on one side of the harbour, and of the rocks being struck on the other side during target practice. Only lately complaints had been made by fishermen of fragments of shells falling about their boats. Complaints of the firing had been made by fishermen and by commanders of the tenders passing between the port and the American liners. In the case of the tenders passengers were frightened by shots coming in close proximity to them.

Ref: The Irish Times 10 May 1892.

Crosshaven Coastguard Station. Co. Cork. 11 November 1871.

Sir, In reference to your letter of the 28th ult. In which you state that an encroachment has been made on the adjoining property of Mr.Hayes by building a boat-slip on it for the Coastguard purposes. I am directed to inform you that the slipway has been built within the dimensions given by the base map- namely 70ft.2 inches. Boundary stones were fixed when the property was taken and within the building of boat-house and slip was affected.

The case has been carefully examined on the ground and measurements taken.

I am sir your obedient servant. D. Hornsby. Sec.

To Richard Hayes Esq. 15 south Wall, Cork.

Reference; Board of Works Letter Books, National archives. Bishop Street, Dublin.

A special thanks to Tony from “Coastguards Of Yesteryear” for the History….

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