A Ketch’s Bad Vacation
The ketch Irene of Bridgewater was scheduled to head for Greenock to participate in a tall ships race. However, the voyage to Greenock was much more difficult than planned.
On June 29, 2011, the Irene of Bridgewater collided with the 37 foot yacht Seven Seas off Rosslare harbour, Ireland. The Seven Seas was unlit and stationary in the canal when the Irene struck it. The yacht lost its mast and suffered considerable damage. Luckily, no one was injured on either vessel.
On July 6, 2011, the Irene of Bridgewater went aground in the mud bank while in Lamlash Bay off Arran, Scotland. The sailing vessel with 10 people on board contacted the Coast Guard at Clyde that the vessel was firmly in the mud. An inspection found the vessel was in no danager of capsizing. Later that night, the ketch was freed on the high tide.
Reports state the Irene of Bridgewater was built in 1907. One report lists the vessel at 100 foot while another states it is 120 foot.
Link to video on the collision
