The Robert Hastie Ship
The “Robert Hastie”.
Eire also allowed a British rescue boat the “ROBERT HASTIE” to be based at Killybegs. There was much liaising between northern and southern intelligence personnel. The “Robert Hastie” had even been welcomed on its arrival in June 1941 by Pilot Officer Heniker – Heaton from Castle Archdale and Head Constable John Briggs, (R.U.C. Belleek) but this overt action was not to be repeated during the war.
The rescue boat was well watched by southern authorities, and all activity noted. She carried a crew of eleven, and made many journeys to Derry and Belfast for supplies. She was armed, but was not to use them in Irish territorial waters, and carried a wireless set for rescue operations. Her crew dressed as fishermen, mixed well with the locals drinking in the pubs, and even recruited crew members from the locality. The boat was painted a dark grey colour, and surplus paint was given often to the locals for painting their cottages..
Many locals were unaware of the true role of the boat. When Breege McCusker spoke to Johnny McCallig in Killybegs he referred to it as “That auld smuggling boat.” Yet he was right for in April 1944, a large seizure of goods was made at Derry Quay by the police. It was believed to be the largest customs seizure since the outbreak of war. Food, hardware, candles, paraffin oil, cooking utensils, and clothing for men and women were among the goods taken from the ship.
At the subsequent court case in Derry, the R.M. Captain Bell, said there was no justification for smuggling as the men were getting substantial pay, had very charming harbour accommodation and were not in terror of being torpedoed. The master of the ship, Captain Hood, and seven members of the crew were fined for knowingly harbouring prohibited goods.
The “Robert Hastie” did take part in at least one rescue that there is a record of. On 9th June 1945; an American Liberator ditched in the sea off Mullaghmore. Several crew- members took to a dinghy and were rescued by the “ Robert Hastie”.
The Donegal Democrat during the “Emergency” recorded faithfully all local happenings, and their extracts give a good insight into life in Donegal. By January 1940 the Local Security Force were getting new recruits in Ballyshannon and preparations were made for training. While the Democrat recorded the events, due to the severe censorship imposed the stories were not published. The paper could not report the crash of the Liberator B24 at Abbeylands, Ballyshannon yet a leading London daily carried the full story of this crash.