Ireland's majestic sail-training ship, the Asgard II, sank mysteriously off the French coast Thursday, but its 25 passengers and crew escaped safely on lifeboats. At the time of its sinking, the Asgard II was nearing the end of a weeklong voyage from Falmouth, southwest England, to the French port of La Rochelle. Its "trainees" were aged from 16 to their mid-60s and included 18 Irish people, a Briton and an Italian. A former captain of the Asgard II, Frank Traynor, said the ship was built to survive hurricane-strength winds. He suspected that a faulty "sea cock" — one of dozens of valves designed to permit sea water to enter the ship to cool engines or flush toilets — was to blame.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
ASGARD II Sinks
Ireland's majestic sail-training ship, the Asgard II, sank mysteriously off the French coast Thursday, but its 25 passengers and crew escaped safely on lifeboats. At the time of its sinking, the Asgard II was nearing the end of a weeklong voyage from Falmouth, southwest England, to the French port of La Rochelle. Its "trainees" were aged from 16 to their mid-60s and included 18 Irish people, a Briton and an Italian. A former captain of the Asgard II, Frank Traynor, said the ship was built to survive hurricane-strength winds. He suspected that a faulty "sea cock" — one of dozens of valves designed to permit sea water to enter the ship to cool engines or flush toilets — was to blame.
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1 comment:
Well thats terrible, I wonder what happened, glad all the people got off safely
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