AFTER more than 50 years, a Snipe sailing dinghy has taken to the waters around Crom Castle.

Up until the end of the 1960s, a Snipe could be seen cutting through the waters of Lough Erne around Crom as it was regularly raced. However, this did not last.

But thanks to the expertise of two brothers – Fred and George Ternan – a pre-World War Two Snipe, named Ranger, has been restored and it arrived back at Crom on Saturday, August 7.

Speaking about the Snipe dinghy, Fred, who is secretary of Lough Erne Heritage, explained the heritage of the boat.

“Ranger was built pre-war and had first been brought to Crom from Belfast Lough in the mid-1950s by Major Madden from Hilton, Clones and was raced at Crom for the next 15 years.

“She was owned and raced by Johnny Madden and Robin Hanbury-Tenison. She was then stored in the boathouse for many years until she was given, along with two other Snipe dinghies, by Mr. Madden to Lough Erne Heritage.

“Along with her came 1952 cotton sails made by Ratsey and Lapthorn, which were used on Ranger after she was launched on Saturday.” 

Whilst still ashore on her road trailer, Ranger’s mast was erected and she was dressed overall with a set of International Signalling flags.

These were removed before she was slowly eased down the slipway under the careful control of Gabriel Fitzpatrick, Johnny Clements and Brian Osborne.

When afloat, she was applauded by the watching guests. Her sails were hoisted and she set sail for the boathouse, helmed by Edwina Ternan and crewed by her father, Fred.

Further applause was heard and she began to beat westward out along the channel towards Crom Bay, accompanied by two safety boats provided by Gabriel Fitzpatrick and Brian Osborne, who also had cameramen on board.

The rain had stopped and there was a pleasant westerly breeze, which the boat revelled in.

‘An excellent view’

“After reaching Gad Island, Ranger tacked and sailed towards the old castle, from where the visitors had an excellent view, where she tacked again and headed towards the entrance to Trial Bay,” said Fred, explaining the journey the Snipe made.

“She then bore off onto starboard and gybed to sail for the entrance to the channel which leads to the 1840s boathouse built as the HQ of the then Lough Erne Yacht Club.

“Ranger carefully tacked along this narrow channel and came to anchor in front of the boathouse, where in the 1950s and 60s she had been kept on a mooring along with ten or 12 other Snipe-class dinghies.”

After sailing, the crew were brought ashore and those in attendance drank tea and coffee while looking at some photographs on display, some of which were taken in the 1950s and provided by Johnny Madden.

Speeches were delivered by Lord Erne, Mr. Madden and yachting journalist, Betty Armstrong.

Afterwards a very enjoyable lunch was had by all in the Inishfendra Room in the National Trust Visitor Centre.

“Much thanks goes to the National Trust and Enniskillen BID, without whose support such an historic day would not have been possible.

Worldwide

“Since then the International Snipe-Class Association, based in America, has circulated the story of Snipe racing at Crom and Ranger`s relaunch there to all its members worldwide,” Fred added.

Looking back over the day Fred spoke of his enjoyment, saying: “I thoroughly enjoyed the day, which was made especially so by so many making the effort to come along even from quite far away.

“Some of the visitors and their families had been part of the Snipe sailing era at Crom, with many stories to tell.

“We heard that two members of the Corbett family sailed one of the Snipes from Crom across the English Channel to France in a race organised from Folkestone to Boulogne. This was in the 1950s.

“The launch event helped to highlight the significance of Crom and the families involved in the club headquartered there in the continuation of sailboat racing.

“It was very well worth while doing, and there have been many congratulatory emails since and we are now in touch with a Snipe sailor in Japan.

“[It was] a significant day in the history of sailing on Lough Erne and hopefully will generate enthusiasm for sail racing in young people in the community. All of this made the effort involved in restoration worth it,” he added.