A Steamer Called “The Tartar”

A Steamer Called “The Tartar”

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(A century after trade between Sligo and Belmullet commenced by steamer, former ship captain, Frank Devaney, wrote this commemorative poem in 1999. As a tribute to all the people who had anything to do with the trade into the Quay (Crocketstown) we reprint these few poems which we found either in “The History of Ballina Quay” or the local papers). (P.J.C.)

A fast steamer call “The Tartar,”

Not so many long years ago;

Opened up trade to Belmullet,

In Broadhaven, Co. Mayo.

But her carriage of passengers ended,

When World War 1 came to bear;

Never more could people take passage,

To take in the Atlantic’s sea air.

On her way she anchored off by-ports,

Loading curraghs with all they could bear;

And then would proceed with her passage,

Ti tie up at Pickle Point Pier.

Her cargo would there be unloaded,

And she laid in that berth overnight;

Where some crew went off for refreshments,

Which later would help them sleep tight.

Next day she began loading cattle,

Then all present had to take care;

As live beasts were slung by her derrick,

And lowered to hold through the air.

By noon she would be off on passage,

Trailing black smoke on the way;

And just about seven hours later

Would be tied up in Sligo at quay.

But the ’Thirties saw widespread depression,

And what was in store no one knew;

“The Tartar” tied up, her crew all paid off,

So ended the trade in nineteen-thirty-two!