Like every port in Ireland and beyond – there are rules. Many of these are standard, but others are unique and specific to a given port, primarily due to its geographic location. Waterford had many such specific rules and one category was for the Pilot Boat Master. His role was different to the pilot master – who was in charge overall. The Pilot Boat Master was responsible for the effective running of the pilot boat at Dunmore East, and the pilots aboard. In 1889 this boat was the Seagull. According to contemporary newspapers, the Pilot Boat Master role was fulfilled by Edward Alcock in the era. Edward died at Dunmore in 1894.
Waterford Pilots
Waterford pilotage district was then worked from three stations; Dunmore East (for pilot boat), Passage East, and Waterford City. (Note; The extent of the area that was the responsibility of the Port authorities was defined from many centuries back as from Grannagh Castle to a line between Hook/Swine Head). The Dunmore men would meet an incoming vessel, board these ships via a row boat and guide the vessel to Passage East where they were relieved if possible. They might, if lucky, get an outbound vessel to return, or perhaps walk back to their base.
Pilots working between the sea and Passage, or Passage and sea, was to receive monthly three-fourths of the amount of pilotage rates paid by the vessels which he piloted. Each pilot working between Passage and Waterford, or Waterford and Passage, would receive three-fifths of the amount paid by vessels guided by the pilot. The remainder of the pilotage receipts were used towards pensions, superannuation, sick money, salaries, and all other charges connected with the service.
Although the Pilot boat was based in theory at Dunmore – in reality the rules stated she needed to anchor there in only very specific circumstances. The expectation was that she was to be sailing in the harbour mouth in anticipation of incoming vessels – and retrieving outbound pilots.
A list of the pilots at Waterford in 1889 from the byelaws
Rules for the Pilot Boat Master
Below is just a fraction of the rules are pertaining then to the pilots, and as stated above – specific to the Pilot Boat Master. Its from Point 10 of the bye laws of 1889.
(a) The pilot boat master will be held responsible for the efficiency of the Dunmore Station and for the safety of vessels entering the harbour requiring the services or assistance of pilots under his charge, subject to the general supervision and responsibility of the pilot master.
(b) The pilot boat master shall see that a good look-out is kept at all times, both when the pilot boat is under way and when she is at her moorings, so that vessels entering or leaving the harbour, requiring to take or land pilots, shall be boarded in proper time; and he shall arrange for regular lookout watches to be set and kept at Red Head, and at no other place, when the pilot boat is at her moorings. The pilot on look-out duty shall report at once to the pilot boat master the approach of any vessel to the harbour, so that the pilot boat may be under way in sufficient time, and the vessel boarded at the proper time and place.
Pilot cutter Seagull – courtesy of Richard Woodley
(c) In thick or hazy weather, southerly or easterly winds, light or strong, the pilot boat shall not remain at her moorings, but shall at all such times be under way. And only in time of clear weather, and westerly or northerly winds of moderate force, shall the pilot boat be allowed to remain at her moorings, and then only during the day time. In no case whatever shall the pilot boat remain at her moorings after sunset; between sunset and sunrise she shall at all times be under way, and not at her moorings.
(d) The pilot boat master shall see that a sufficient crew is always on board the pilot boat, both when she is under way and when she is at her moorings.
(e) Should vessels pass Dunmore Station by day or night, requiring the service of a pilot, without being boarded, or should foreign-going vessels enter the pilotage limits without being boarded on the outside station, the pilot boat master will be held accountable for any loss that may arise to the pilot establishment from the neglect to board such vessels, unless he can show that there was no neglect or default on his part, or on that of his crew, at the times of such vessels passing.
(f) The pilot boat master shall see that the pilots on duty are always sober and attentive, and shall report at once to the pilot master any breach of discipline, or any intoxication or neglect of duty on the part of any pilot.
(g) At any time when the pilot boat may be driven from her station by stress of weather, or have gone for shelter above Creden (sic) Head, such pilots as may be on shore at Dunmore shall keep a good lookout at Red Head, and shall report at once to Passage by telegraph the approach to the harbour of any vessel which may require a pilot. If the telegraph office is closed, the message shall be sent by a car. The Commissioners will defray the cost of the telegram or car as the case may be.
Dunmore East Coastal Path looking back towards the village. Red Head is behind this, a long way from the village.
(h) The pilot boat master must devote all his time to the pilot service, and his services must be at all times available.
(i) The pilot boat master shall keep a log book, using two books, one for each alternate month, the book not in use being sent for inspection of the pilot master at Passage, and shall record therein daily the state of wind, sea and weather, and all the movements of the pilot boat and of the pilots under his charge.
(j) Every pilot of the Dunmore Station shall, whenever required by the pilot boat master, assist in performing all the necessary duties; cleansing, painting, &c., on board the pilot boat, giving due attention to her rigging, sails, materials, and punts, and shall at all times submit to and execute the lawful demands of the master or person in charge of the pilot boat. Any refusal or neglect of the duties aforesaid shall be at once reported to the pilot master.
(k) All incidental receipts, such as money for landing channel pilots, &c., shall be paid to and accounted for by the pilot boat master, and such sums shall be divided amongst those entitled to them by the pilot master every month. It is strictly enjoined that every sum of money received by pilots whilst on duty shall be thus dealt with.
(l) The pilot master shall report specially, in writing, to the pilot committee on every occasion on which the pilot boat leaves her station for shelter through stress of weather.
Conclusion
For me there are many interesting points of note in this piece alone. As my regular readers will know I am a bit of an anorak when it comes to these things. But if you have stayed with me thus far I think the detail about Red Head is interesting, suggesting a look out point, perhaps with a spyglass. It may also suggest cooperation with the Coastguard then operating from the village.
Red Head – Dunmore East, Signal and Semaphore station. Accessed from https://heritagemaps.ie/WebApps/HeritageMaps/index.html?extent=668190.7896%2C599278.6493%2C669206.7916%2C599761.5148%2C2157 based on the OSI 25″ series (1888-1913)
The OSI map above suggests a very elaborate set up at Red Head. Earlier maps indicate something on the site, it does not give anything approaching the detail of this later map. The location so far from the village is curious and despite searching I have nothing concrete to add to this as yet. I mentioned a telegraph at Passage previously in the 1860s – located at the pilot station was the plan at the time. According to Slaters Commercial Directory of 1881 Nicholas Murphy was the post master at Dunmore and also operated a money order and telegraphy office. Catherine Condon provided the same service at Passage East.
If you would like to read the bye laws you can find them at the following link. If you want to read an article I wrote about the pilot boats from their founding in 1816 to the present, click here. You can also find more about the pilots in the Pilots Category on the blog.
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Andrew,
I found this most interesting. When we stayed at Davy & Nellies on holidays in August I used to see the Pilot Master heading down to the Island (sadly now gone) to row out to the cutter later the trawler. To me the Pilot Station does not seem that far from the village, it is well sited for the lookout, been up there many times. On one occasion I brought a research ship from Port Everglades Florida to New Ross and of course got my Pilot at Dunmore East. Knowing the area was able to come in close to the harbour !!