Sail away: Storm takes toll

THE captain of a German sail training ship battered by a ferocious storm praised his rookie crew last night after their vessel limped into Cork harbour.

The two-masted tall-ship Roald Amundsen suffered extensive damage when it was lashed by a fierce storm off the south coast while en route from Lisbon to Cobh.

Force 12 winds and mountainous seas tossed the 50-metre vessel and its 41-strong crew, including 15 trainees, around like a cork.

Senior sailing instructor and vessel Captain Christian Delamotte said it was the worst storm he has ever encountered in almost three decades.

Eleven of his vessel’s 18 toughened canvas sails were ripped to shreds. “They were like chop suey,” he said. “The ship was rolling heavily, 50 degrees to starboard and 60 degrees to port.” But Capt Delamotte said the entire crew responded magnificently.

The badly damaged vessel made a dash for Cobh and dropped anchor at the deep-water berth in darkness on Tuesday night. The vessel is due to sail to Ostend on Monday, weather permitting.