Moelfre

 Moelfre is a small fishing village on the North East corner of the island of Anglesey or Ynys Mon ,in Welsh , (except there should be a circumflex over the o, which I have not yet learnt how to put on with my lap top. Welsh speakers please forgive me.)

I had vaguely heard of Moelfre from bird watchers on Merseyside, perhaps it got a mention in an MNA Bird Report. However it was not one of the frequently mentioned spots for Natural History on the Island, these being; South Stack, the Inland Sea, Church Bay, Rhosneigr, Malltraeth Cob, Llandwyn Island and Newborough Warren.

However, when I joined the Liverpool pilot Service in July 1963, I soon started to hear the name of Moelfre .It sounded a little ominous.

“If it gets up much more, we’ll be going round the corner to Moelfre.  “ ( it being the wind “ )

“Once it gets round anything North of West, Harry will have us round the corner “

“Bit of luck we’ll put the pick down and get some peace “

“That’s what the “Hind Lea “thought, and look what happened to her. “

The Hind Lea was a small German coaster which got wrecked in a storm close north of Moelfre Island, only a few years previously. The tale of the “Hind Lea “ was then retold by a group of seasoned Boathands , all under 21 , and none present at the time .

”Left it too late “

“Should have got the anchor up earlier “

“Should have got up to windward “

“Fancy getting caught on a lee shore like that “

“Least he was handy for the lifeboat.”

“They did well to get them off “

“No one lost. Not like when Triggy put the  boat ashore .”

An apprentice had been killed trying to launch the lifeboat in that otherwise minor mishap. The mess room fell silent.  

“Why, what happened?” I naively asked, and got glowered at. An ancient mariner of 18 later took me to one side and told me the story of how one of the Skippers took the corner too close and grounded on a ledge. In the panic , he decided to launch a lifeboat .These were much bigger than the working punts, and much heavier .Also, they were very seldom launched to the water , but were lowered to boarding position at Boat Drill. On giving the order   “Lower Away” , one of the davits stuck , the boat swung inboard ,and a young apprentice was crushed to death.

“Could easily happen .The life boats don’t get enough work, something always gets stuck “

“Punt’s your best bet “Indeed that was surely true. The punts were in constant use and very well maintained.

“That’s what they thought on No 1 “

Another silence .Then “Yes its always No 1 .An unlucky number is no 1.Christ no, don’t ever go on No 1, if  you can help it .And that miserable Edelsten .no days off on that boat.”

But Harry Littler did not take us round the corner that day, and Moelfre remained unvisited, and Captain Edelsten only a name with a miserable reputation on a boat with a unlucky number.