In a sombre turn of events, the master of the German barque “Nomia,” which recently arrived in Limerick from Tacoma, has conveyed a tragic incident to the vice-consul at the port, Mr John Boyd. This heart-wrenching occurrence unfolded during the vessel’s voyage and led to the untimely demise of two of its young crew members.

While navigating through the tumultuous waters near Cape Horn, the “Nomia” found itself ensnared in the grip of the notorious harsh weather that often characterizes that region. Against this backdrop of tempestuous seas and gusting winds, tragedy struck. Two seamen, Stout and Thompson, were performing their duties aloft when the precarious situation took a devastating turn.

As fate would have it, one of the seamen lost his grip and tumbled from the yardarm. In a cruel twist of fate, he collided with his companion as they plummeted towards the unforgiving waves below. The tumultuous sea bore witness to this heart-wrenching incident. The barque’s crew, under the command of their master, swiftly hove to and lowered a boat in a valiant attempt to mount a rescue operation. However, the ferocity of the ocean’s currents and the relentless waves thwarted their efforts, making any attempt at saving the lives of Stout and Thompson a daunting impossibility.

Tragically, despite the crew’s best efforts and their undaunted determination, neither of the young sailors could be retrieved from the churning sea. Stout and Thompson, both of American nationality, were destined to become victims of the capricious and unforgiving nature of the open waters. Their loss resonates as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who brave the high seas in pursuit of their maritime endeavours.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 08 May 1906