"Kurenos" – a vessel of Lithuanian maritime history

 

"Kurenos" refers to a traditional flat-bottomed wooden fishing boat used in Lithuania, particularly in the Curonian Lagoon. These vessels are an iconic part of Lithuanian maritime heritage and were used by fishermen for centuries to navigate the shallow waters of the lagoon.

Key Features of Kurenos Boats:

1. Flat-Bottomed Design:

   • Ideal for the shallow and calm waters of the Curonian Lagoon.
   • Allowed easy navigation close to the shore.

2. Construction:

   • Made of wood, often oak, and built with traditional methods passed down through generations.

3. Usage:

   • Primarily used for fishing and transporting goods.
   • Equipped with sails and sometimes oars for propulsion.

4. Symbolism:

   • Represent a unique aspect of the cultural identity of the Curonian Spit and the lagoon communities.
   • Often decorated with traditional motifs or designs, reflecting local artistic traditions.

Historical and Cultural Significance:

• Economic Role:
  The boats were essential to the livelihood of fishing communities along the Curonian Lagoon.

• Cultural Heritage:
  The Kurenos boats are closely tied to the traditions and folklore of the region. Efforts have been made to preserve their history and promote awareness of their importance.

• Preservation:
  While modern fishing methods have replaced traditional boats in many cases, replicas of Kurenos vessels are maintained as cultural artifacts. They are often displayed in museums or used in cultural events celebrating Lithuania's maritime history.

The Kurenos vessels are a testament to the ingenuity and traditions of the Lithuanian people, showcasing their connection to the Curonian Lagoon and its unique ecosystem.

10 October - RMS Leinster is torpedoed and sunk by UB-123

 

On 10 October 1918, the RMS Leinster, a mail and passenger ship operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-123 in the Irish Sea. This tragic event occurred during the final weeks of World War I, and it resulted in the loss of 564 lives, marking it as the worst maritime disaster ever recorded in the Irish Sea.

The RMS Leinster was on a routine voyage from Dublin to Holyhead, carrying civilians, military personnel, and mail. The war had made such crossings increasingly dangerous, as German U-boats patrolled the waters around Britain and Ireland. Despite this threat, the ship set sail on the morning of October 10, with over 700 passengers and crew on board.

As the Leinster approached the Welsh coast, UB-123, commanded by Oberleutnant Robert Ramm, fired three torpedoes at the ship. Two of them hit their target, causing catastrophic damage. The first struck the postal compartment, and the second hit the engine room. The ship sank rapidly, leaving many of the passengers and crew little time to escape. Despite efforts to launch lifeboats and assist survivors, the cold waters of the Irish Sea claimed hundreds of lives.

Of the approximately 771 people on board, only about 213 survived. The disaster was a devastating blow to both Ireland and Britain, with the majority of the victims being Irish civilians, British and Irish servicemen, and postal workers. The loss of the RMS Leinster came at a time when peace was on the horizon, with the Armistice of World War I just weeks away.

The sinking of the RMS Leinster is remembered as a significant wartime tragedy, and memorials have been erected in both Dublin and Holyhead to honor the lives lost. The disaster also highlighted the widespread devastation caused by unrestricted submarine warfare during the war, which targeted both military and civilian vessels indiscriminately.

30 September - INS Shalki, India's first indigenously built submarine, launched in Bombay.

 

INS Shalki, India's first indigenously built submarine, was launched on September 30, 1990, in Bombay (now Mumbai). It marked a significant milestone in India's defense capabilities and its indigenous submarine-building program.

Background:

INS Shalki was built by the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai as part of the Indian Navy's project to develop submarines with indigenous technology.

The submarine is a Type 209/Type 1500 class submarine, designed for anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and other naval operations.

Significance:

The launch of INS Shalki was a major achievement for India's defense sector, showcasing the country's growing capabilities in naval engineering and technology.

It represented a step towards self-reliance in defense production, which has been a key objective for India, especially in the wake of various geopolitical challenges.

INS Shalki, along with its sister submarines, played a crucial role in enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy.

Further Developments:

After its launch, INS Shalki underwent trials and commissioning processes before being officially inducted into the Indian Navy.

The successful launch of INS Shalki laid the groundwork for future indigenous submarine projects, including more advanced submarines like the Scorpène-class submarines.

INS Shalki remains an important part of India's naval history, reflecting the nation's commitment to developing its defense manufacturing capabilities

21 September - The Pamir was shipwrecked and sank off the Azores during Hurricane Carrie

 

The Pamir was a steel-hulled four-masted barque, originally launched in 1905 at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. As one of the famous "Flying P-Liners" of the shipping company F. Laeisz, Pamir spent much of her early career transporting nitrate and other goods between Europe and South America.

History and Significance:

• Construction: Pamir was built with advanced technology for its time, combining traditional sail power with a modern steel hull, which made it sturdier than wooden ships.
• Commercial Use: She was primarily used in the South American nitrate trade, a valuable commodity for fertilizer and explosives, and also carried grain and other goods during her career.
• World War II: During the war, Pamir was seized by New Zealand and used as a cargo ship under the British flag, carrying war supplies.
• Return to Germany: After World War II, Pamir was returned to Germany and refitted to continue in commercial service, although she had also started to be used for training merchant marine cadets.

The Final Voyage:

On her final journey, Pamir departed from Buenos Aires on 10 August 1957, with a cargo of 3,780 tons of barley, bound for Hamburg. The ship was part of a dying breed of windjammers, large sailing ships that had been overtaken by motorized vessels in commercial shipping. By the 1950s, Pamir and a few others like her were being used as training vessels for cadets and trainees in seamanship.

The Disaster:

• On 21 September 1957, Pamir encountered Hurricane Carrie in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 600 nautical miles west of the Azores.
• The cargo of barley, which had been improperly secured, shifted during the storm, causing the ship to list heavily.
• Efforts to balance the ship failed, and the heavy tilt made it impossible to manage the sails or pumps effectively. The ship eventually capsized and sank within 30 minutes.

Distress Calls and Rescue Attempts:

• A distress signal was sent, and several rescue ships, including the American vessels USS Gearing and SS Saxon, responded.
• The storm made rescue operations difficult, and it took three days for help to arrive at the scene.
• Of the 86 crew members, including 52 cadets, only six survivors were found clinging to a lifeboat after three days at sea. The rest perished in the disaster.

Aftermath and Legacy:

The sinking of Pamir had a profound impact on maritime training and safety regulations. Investigations into the disaster revealed that the cargo had been poorly stowed and that there were not enough experienced sailors aboard to properly handle the ship during the storm. As a result, the event led to changes in the rules governing the operation of sail training ships, including better stowage practices and stricter regulations regarding crew competency.

The Pamir remains a symbol of the end of the era of large commercial sailing ships and is remembered in Germany with memorials and commemorative events. Her sinking was a national tragedy, and it still resonates within the maritime community today.

24 August - The first ship of the East India Company ‘Hector’ reached the coast of Surat in 1608

 

The arrival of the East India Company’s first ship, Hector, at the coast of Surat on 24 August 1608, was a significant milestone in the history of British involvement in India. Commanded by Captain William Hawkins, Hector was the first vessel sent by the Company to establish direct trade relations with India. Surat, a bustling port city on the western coast of India, was a major hub for commerce, attracting traders from various parts of the world.

Captain Hawkins carried a letter from King James I of England to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, seeking permission to trade and establish a factory in Surat. Upon arrival, Hawkins and his crew faced initial resistance from Portuguese traders who were already established in the region and saw the English as rivals. Despite these challenges, Hawkins was eventually granted an audience with Emperor Jahangir at his court in Agra. However, the negotiations were complex and drawn out, with the Mughal emperor not immediately granting the desired trading privileges.

While the first mission did not yield immediate success in establishing a strong English presence, it laid the groundwork for future ventures. Over the following decades, the East India Company gradually expanded its influence in India, securing trading rights, establishing factories, and eventually playing a central role in the colonization of the Indian subcontinent. The arrival of Hector at Surat marked the beginning of a new chapter in Indian history, one that would lead to profound changes in the region’s political and economic landscape.