Jeanie takes refuge in Valentia Bay

JUST when we thought there was a happy ending to the Jeanie Johnston saga, she hits choppy waters.

Hundreds waved farewell to the famine replica ship at Fenit, Co Kerry, on Sunday, but Jeanie has always been slow to say goodbye. After all, she was three years late, and about 10 million over-budget before taking to the water, and her quest to leave it all behind hit another trough yesterday. This time the elements intervened and Jeanie was forced to drop anchor close to the Valentia Island, 20 hours into her 21-day voyage to Tenerife. Strong winds that also led to Aer Lingus cancelling all flights New York grounded Jeanie and her crew of 40 before midday. Capt Tom McCarthy had hoped to get to Castletownbere before taking a break, but this was a step too far for the 15m famine vessel. The local lifeboat piloted Jeanie into Valentia Harbour after midday and she may have to stay there for five days.

The 40 people on board, professional crew and 24 sail trainees, spent a rough night on board, said Capt McCarthy. He described the sleepless conditions as “a bit of a baptism of fire” for the novices among the trainees. There had been a lot of sea-sickness, but it was all part of the experience of a sail training voyage, and by lunchtime yesterday they were all tucking into a hearty meal.