|
|
|
WOMEN AT SEA Its not only in the recent past that women have made their mark on Irish ships, but one of the first to change the norm and make her mark was Mrs. Linda Hayes (Linda Purdy) of the Irish ferries vessel M.V.Ulysses. She was in 1987, along with Ms. Rosemary Docherty the first woman purser in the 150 year history of the B+I Line. Today Mrs. Hayes is a senior purser onboard the largest passenger car ferry in the world and following her lead the management team of ten onboard the ship now has 5 women pursers. Also in 1987 the first women officer on a B+I ship Ms.Caroline Meaney, joined the M.V.Tipperary.
IRISH SHIPPING LTD.(1941-84) had a number of women crew members including the first women officer on an Irish ship Marilyn Stockwell from Tuam, Co. Galway. Marilyn sailed on the Irish Maple in 1973 as the junior radio officer. In 1974 the first women deckhand on Irish Shipping Ltd. Miss rosemary Daulton joined the Irish Oak. 1977 saw the frist woman cadet in Irish shipping ltd. Ms. Ann Parry.
The contribution that Irish women have made to the history of the maritime industry over the years has yet to be told. Stories of women like Josephine Carr from Cork the first WREN (Womens Royal Naval Service) to die on active service, when she lost her life in Dublin bay along with 500 other's in the sinking of the R.M.S.Leinster in 1918. Over the coming year there will be futher updates on this subject and if you would like to contribute please contact me at: aiden@irishships.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ©Aiden McCabe 2004 |
Home Page