Baggy wrinkles, tall spars, crossed yards, canon blasts, clippers, cutters, kayaks and even kites - Dublin Bay was a sea of sail yesterday as the Cutty Sark Tall Ships fleet dispersed in a fresh westerly wind. The south-about parade towards Baily lighthouse was witnessed by thousands of people, both on and off the water and in the air.
Some 300 to 400 craft accompanied the 70 ships leaving the Liffey mouth, cheekily surfing on the wakes of the big sailing ships during the course around the bay. In spite of fears by the hosts, there were no serious collisions as the vessels cruised past the Irish Lights tender, Granuaile, towards the naval patrol vessel, LE Aisling. Mr Kevin Crothers, officer of the day on the Granuaile, praised the spectating vessels for co-operating with patrol boats and reported only one injury, a crew member who was hit by a flying boom and had to be brought ashore.
On board the Aisling, - anchored in Scotsman's Bay under the command of Lieut Cmmdr Barry O'Halloran - the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, waved from the bridge wing to sail trainees from 30 different countries. In turn they cheered, jeered, danced, sang and performed exuberant variations on Mexican waves.
The combination of a 15-knot wind, course restrictions and heavy water traffic meant that most of the vessels did not put up full sail. However, the parade leader, host ship Asgard II was fully dressed, apart from topsails.
Distance from the shore meant that many members of the public on Dun Laoghaire pier and other landmarks couldn't see much of the detail at sea.
The Mexican navy ship, Cuauhtemoc, which was one of the few visitors not leaving immediately, was also a pyramid of canvas as its crew stood to attention and then performed the traditional "cheer ship" salute. The Cuauhtemoc won the Cutty Sark trophy for the competitor contributing the most to international friendship and understanding.
Even the air routes were active. Three Air Corps Marchettis performed a fly past, while an Alouette helicopter monitored the spectacle. The Marchettis were crewed by members of the Air Corps flying training school, under Comdt Paul Fry.
The parade began shortly after 1 p.m. in fresh conditions with little sunshine but less rain than had been forecast. The flagship of the fleet, the Russian barque Sedov, owned by the Murmansk State Maritime Academy, was already on the horizon as the Aisling steamed out to Scotsman's Bay to take up position. However, Russia was still well represented by the Mir and Kruzenshtern - the latter being one of the few original trading ships in the competition.
Built in 1926, it is now used to train Baltic fishing crews.
The four-day event, which has been judged a great success by the organisers, revitalised a Dublin docklands once teeming with trawlers, schooners, smacks, ships, horses, hoggers and cranes.
"This was an experience of a lifetime, with grandeur, colour, excitement - it was exhilarating," Mr Smith said yesterday as he bade farewell to the last departing vessel, the Lord Nelson. "I am delighted that we had so many visitors from 30 countries and Dublin city proving that it is a vibrant, exciting capital."
Accompanying the Minister on board the Aisling were Lieut Gen Gerry McMahon, retired Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Maj Gen Bill Dwyer, Adj Gen and acting Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Colm Mangan, GoC Eastern Command, Commodore John Kavanagh, Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service and Brig Gen Patrick Cranfield, GoC Air Corps.
Also on deck were the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Mr David O'Callaghan, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Joe Doyle, Mr Bruce Lyster, chairman of the Tall Ships Dublin committee, and Brig Gen Robin Duchesne, chairman of the International Sail Training Association.
Three of the five Naval Service divers injured in Monday's helicopter accident during an air-sea rescue demonstration in Dublin Port for the Tall Ships Race have been released from hospital.
Leading seaman Michael Daly and Able Seaman Oliver Linnane are still being detained with rib injuries but are expected to be released today or before the weekend, according to an Army spokesman. Released were Able Seamen Nigel McCormack, Damien McCormack and Jim Cleary
