Irish Naval Service - The Formation
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Naval Base-Haulbowline-Cobh |
Naval Base-Haulbowline-Cobh |
On the 3rd of September 1939 the Irish "Marine and Coastwatching service" was born and became officially established on the 5th of September 1939. Its war establishment was not authorised until the 7th of December 1939. By early 1940 the vessels in the new service included the ex Fisheries Patrol vessels Muirchu and Fort Rannoch.
Fort Rannoch was built in Aberdeen. She had been chartered by the Irish Department of Agriculture and Fisheries from John Lewis Limited of Aberdeen and since 1938 used as a Fishery Protection Vessel. She was handed over to the Irish Department of Defence on the 10th of November 1939 purchased outright and commissioned as a public armed ship on the 15th of January 1940 by Lieutenant A Thompson. For further information see History of the Irish Naval Service.
Patricio McCarthy served on the Fort Rannoch until December 1939
Timoteo McCarthy served on the Muirchu during 1939 until the handover to the Irish Department of Defence on the 10th November 1939
