Final chapter in Astrid’s history draws to a close
Specialist contractors working on the scrappage of the 95-year-old sail training vessel, the Astrid, have almost broken down the entire hull of the once proud Dutch tall ship.
The team from Wexford-based Molloy Metal and Recycling Ltd is expected to continue work on the wreck, which is lashed to a salvage barge on Lobster Quay in Kinsale, Co Cork, for at least another week.
The team spent the last week using blow torches and large metal crushing mechanical diggers to reduce part of the hull to transportable sizes.
The material has been loaded onto trucks for transport by road for recycling or disposal.
It is hoped that, once the work is completed, the quay will be handed back to harbour authorities for use as a trawler berth.
The Astrid ran aground near Oysterhaven during the Irish Sailing Association’s Gathering Cruise on July 24 after its engines failed.
All 30 people on board — seven crew and 23 trainees — were saved during a dramatic rescue operation.
The 42m steel square rigger held fast on the rocks at Ballymacus Point for six weeks before being salvaged in a complex operation in September.
The wreck has been stored on the recovery barge lashed to the quayside since it was salvaged.
