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On a misty Sunday morning in October 1963, the peaceful shores of Ardmore, County Waterford, became the stage for a dramatic maritime rescue that would be etched into local memory for generations.
The Fee des Ondes, a 300-ton French trawler hailing from the port of Lorient, found itself in peril as it approached the treacherous coastline of Ardmore. In the pre-dawn hours of October 27th, with visibility severely compromised, the vessel struck rocks just 300 yards off Ardmore Head[5].
As the waves pounded mercilessly against its hull, the Fee des Ondes was driven further onto the unforgiving rocks of Carraig a Phúintín. The situation quickly became dire, and a race against time began to save the souls aboard[1].
The response was swift and coordinated:
- The Youghal lifeboat was immediately launched into action
- Local hero Jim Quain, the life-saving rocket man, sounded the alarm
- Ardmore’s dedicated rocket crew assembled, ready to assist
Among the nine-member crew was a 15-year-old boy embarking on his first voyage – a baptism by fire into the perils of seafaring life[5].
In a display of remarkable bravery, seven crew members escaped using a rubber raft, battling against the churning seas to reach the safety of Ardmore’s shore. However, two steadfast mariners remained aboard: Captain P. Maletta and his mate E. Dantec, reluctant to abandon their vessel to the mercy of the waves[5].
As the drama unfolded, the community of Ardmore rallied. Mrs. Quain opened her home, providing the shivering survivors with hot food and dry clothing [5]. The village united in a show of Irish hospitality, embracing the stranded French sailors in their time of need.
Eventually, even the stubborn captain and his mate were persuaded to leave their doomed ship. After valiant attempts to free the trawler, the Youghal lifeboat managed to rescue the final two crew members[1].
Today, the Fee des Ondes is part of Ardmore’s landscape. At low tide, curious beachcombers can spot the remnants of this once-proud vessel peeking out from the sands – a poignant reminder of that fateful October day[6].
The wreck has become more than just a footnote in history; it’s now a unique feature of Ardmore Beach. Photographers capture haunting images of its rusted remains. At the same time, divers explore the submerged sections, all paying tribute to the resilience of those who sail the seas and the communities ready to aid them in times of crisis.
The story of the Fee des Ondes serves as a testament to the dangers of the sea, the bravery of rescuers, and the enduring spirit of coastal communities. It reminds us that even in our modern age, the ocean demands respect, and the bonds of human compassion can overcome the fiercest storms.
Citations:
[1] https://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/369/8/Ardmore_Memory_and_Story__The_Sea_Shipwrecks.html
[2] https://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/DisplayPrintable/article/331/18/The_Ardmore_Journal_The_Ardmore_Rocket_Crew.html
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Alam_Pintar_and_FV_Etoile_des_Ondes_collision
[4] https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g672986-d2296150-Reviews-Les_Maisons_de_Bricourt-Saint_Meloir_des_Ondes_Ille_et_Vilaine_Brittany.html
[5] https://www.ardmorewaterford.com/the-fee-des-ondes/
[6] https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/detail-of-the-remains-of-the-fee-des-ondes-a-shipwreck-seen-only-at-low-tid/
[7] http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/FeeDesOndes385-ImagePage.htm
[8] https://eoceanic.com/sailing/harbours/europe/ireland/mayo/210/ardmore_bay?PageSpeed=noscript
The Fee des Ondes a French trawler (300 tons) was wrecked in Ardmore on Sunday 27th October 1963. It struck rocks 300yds off Ardmore head and it was blown into Carraig a Phúintín. All efforts of Youghal Lifeboat to get her off failed.
The Cork Examiner of October 28th, 1963 says “Two Frenchmen were rescued by life-boat, and seven crew, one of fifteen years old on his first voyage, by rubber raft in a sea drama, off the beach at Ardmore, Co. Waterford yesterday morning. They were the crew of the 300-ton trawler Fee des Ondes out of Lorient, which went aground in poor visibility just before dawn and which was subsequently severely damaged by rocks and pounding waves. Youghal lifeboat had been launched and life-saving rocket man, Jim Quain, was alerted, raised the alarm, and fired the maroon which brought out the full crew. The crew came ashore by rubber dinghy but Captain P Maletta and his mate E Dantec refused to abandon ship for a considerable time. They were all taken to the village and Mrs. Quain provided hot food and clothing. An abiding memory of hers, is, besides the saltwater even seeping down the stairs, was the incident of the crew sitting around her dining room table where a cask of Beaujolais from the vessel, containing about twelve bottles or so was ensconced. They asked her for glasses and imbibed the lot without as much as asking her would she like a glass, never mind a bottle. Lloyds later offered to recompense them for their hospitality, but they declined to accept. The boat being accessible at low water, it was visited by all and sundry during the following days.”
