In a poignant continuation of misfortune, the year 1907 marked another sorrowful incident off the shores of the Pigeon House in Dublin (Image), involving Mr Michael Joseph Dunn, KC. The seasoned barrister, accompanied by his nephew, embarked from Kingstown with the intention of sailing to Dublin but, regrettably, failed to reach their destination.
The grim discovery unfolded when Mr Dunn’s son, James, who narrowly missed joining the ill-fated journey, found his father’s lifeless body in shallow waters near the Fort. Although Mr Dunn was still clinging to life when found, the assistance arrived too late, and he tragically succumbed.
The yacht, later located adrift nearby, harbored the lifeless form of Mr Dunn’s nephew, suggesting a possible capsize on the Shelly Banks. It is presumed that the two men, after a struggle in the water, managed to right the yacht. Subsequently, the younger man climbed aboard but succumbed to exhaustion, while the elder was swept away by the unforgiving currents.
Adding a layer of tragedy to the narrative, it emerged that cries for help from the distressed men had been heard earlier that evening. However, the Coastguard Station, grappling with jurisdictional concerns, hesitated to dispatch a lifeboat. Ironically, Mr Dunn, a passionate amateur sailor, temperance advocate, and an authority in admiralty, maritime, and shipping law, found himself entangled in a situation where his expertise might have proved invaluable. His last words, a poignant declaration of exhaustion, underscore the heart-wrenching nature of the circumstances.
The incident draws unsettling parallels to a historical event from the late 18th century, when Baron Power of the Exchequer met a tragic end near the Pigeon House. The ‘learned, rich, and ostentatious’ legal figure, facing imminent prosecution for embezzlement, chose the sea as his escape, carrying an umbrella into the depths. While the circumstances surrounding Baron Power’s demise were different, the recurrence of legal figures meeting their end in the same locale prompts sombre reflection.
As the legal community grapples with the loss of Mr Michael Joseph Dunn, KC, and his nephew, questions linger about the adequacy of the rescue response and the complexities surrounding jurisdictional issues. The irony of a legal expert finding himself in need, while his expertise could have potentially averted the tragedy, casts a sombre shadow on this maritime misfortune. The echoes of distress calls unheard serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the sea, even for those well-versed in maritime matters.
Tablet – Saturday 01 June 1907
