Waterford News 3
November 1922
Pilot Thomas Murray,
Abbeyside.
The death occurred
a few days ago rather unexpectedly of Pilot Thomas Murray of Abbeyside,
Dungarvan, a man well known in this locality….He had reached a good old age,
probably up to 80 years. He had been for
a number of years a pilot in the town, and was well known as Captain
Murray. He had sailed to almost every
portion of the known world, and many years ago he was precluded from following
his avocation of a sailor by the loss of the right arm in an accident.
On coming home he
took up the work of pilot, and many a vessel he guided into the harbour,
avoiding the sand banks….What adds to the melancholy character of his death is
the fact that he was one of the four who went to meet the S.S. Cargan on coming
into harbour a fortnight ago as their boat capsized, and one of the hands,
Maurice Noonan, was lost. Captain Murray
on the occasion was submerged in the water, but clinging onto the boat with one
hand he was rescued, but the submersion told on his aged frame, and he never
received his older vigour. He died a
Christian death….surrounded by his people.
An old affection
was held for him in the town, his voice could often be heard at the Look Out
directing boats in the harbour. He was
good humoured and well skilled in the duties he had taken up. As an old man it was a treat to hear him
recount the changes of the times with respect to the inhabitants of
Abbeyside. There where many ruins lie,
showing where happy families once lived, he could tell you of the former
residents.
He
had children but they are all gone away to other parts, and they will hear of
his demise with much sorrow.
