US Navy Destroyer visited Buncrana World War 1
Donegal
Hello kind Volunteers,
A long shot, but I wonder whether any of the really old-timers from Buncrana ever heard about the US Navy Destroyer Woolsey docking there for a few days during WW1--probably 1918. My grandfather was on that ship, and when I was a boy he told me about getting 2 nights of shore leave there. The first night, they were surprised to find a bunch of local young men throwing chunks of brick at them. The 2nd night, they carried billy clubs with them, but did not run into any trouble. I always wondered what their motivation was for attacking the sailors:
- Stay away from our women?
- Any ally of the Brits is no friend of ours?
- We have been drinking and feel like raising hell?
I've heard a few 100-year-old stories in my life, so thought maybe this made it into local lore...
In any case, Happy St. Paddy's to you all!
Billyboy.Leonard