THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Patrolling warship searches collier in Rathlin Sound

While on her way from Maryport to Coleraine on the afternoon of May 27 the steam collier Norwood of Glasgow had been searched by a British warship in Rathlin Sound, reported the News Letter on this day in 1914.

The Norwood, which was commanded by Captain William H Coffey, was stopped in Rathlin Sound by the destroyer Ardent and it was reported that it had been searched for arms.

The News Letter correspondent wrote: “The Ardent is one of the warships which have been patrolling the Antrim coast for some time past.”

They went on to give further details of the incident: “Between two and three o’clock the Norwood was steaming along between Ballintoy and Rathlin, when the Ardent came into view and sounded her siren as a signal to the little collier to stop.

“Captain Coffey at once obeyed. A pinnace was lowered from the destroyer and a party of naval men came aboard the Norwood, whose papers they examined, and immediately began a search for arms.

“The hatches were thrown open, but instead of firearms or ammunition, a cargo of coal met the view of the searchers, who, satisfied as to the fruitlessness of their quest, returned to the destroyer.”

Thus delayed about 20 minutes the Norwood continued on her journey to Coleraine with her cargo of coal for Messrs J R Watt and Son.

Meanwhile, the SS Normand, another collier bound from Maryport to Coleraine, which had preceded the Norwood by half-an-hour, had been allowed to proceed that afternoon unhindered.

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