Cork
1 February 1800:
The
Alexandria transport, Lieutenant Elsmere, and the Columbine transport, Captain
Haddleston on their passage from Embden to Dublin which put into our harbour
from whence they sailed last Saturday morning, in consequence of thick weather,
mistook Tramore Bay for the entrance to Waterford Harbour. The Columbine came
to an anchor inside Brownstown Head and when the tide offered, cut her cables,
got over the bar most fortunately and ran up Rhine-Shark Harbour, where she now
lies safe.
The
Alexandria, missing her straps, was obliged to anchor close in with the
breakers, where she remained till Sunday night, near high water, when she also
cut her cables and run well up on the beach of Tramore. Should the weather
continue favourable, it is thought she will be got off. These are the vessels
which conveyed from New Geneva the United Irishmen for the King of Prussia’s
service.[1]
For
the imprisoned United Irishmen, it was a case of enlist in the Prussian army or
spend years in penal servitude in the colonies, although it is doubtful that
were given a choice. About 400 were sent to Prussia and rather than serve in
the army, many of them ended up working and dying in the king's salt mines.
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