SPORTING Limerick, the European city for Sport, has lost out on a piece of sporting history as “Tess”, the 21ft ocean going rowing boat that brought Limerick man Sean McGowan into the record books as the first Irishman to row the Atlantic, is to leave these shores bound for New York and a new rowing challenge. The boat, bought with a Credit Union loan by Shannon Rowing Club oarsman Sean McGowan, was up for sale in the hope that it could be secured by the city of Limerick and displayed in a prominent place to celebrate the achievements of the man who crossed the Atlantic as part of an epic 118 day voyage.
Alas, it was not to be as funding or local interest never came to the fore and Sean was forced to sell it abroad.
“I suppose the economy had a lot to play in it. I offered a purchasing option over three or four years to local authorities but it never materialised and unfortunately, the majority of the interest came from overseas. The boat is now bound for New York to John Bauby, who will aim to be the first American to row the North Atlantic. It will be a first for him so at least Tess will keep up the tradition of being involved in making history”.
As the straps went on the trailer and the boat was secured for it’s marathon journey across the Atlantic on a cargo ship, Sean recalls the memories and the bond that he made with the boat.
“It’s hard to explain the bond I have with that boat but after the length of time I spent in it, and after 1.7 million strokes on each oar, there is something very emotional in seeing it go. However, I couldn’t turn down any more offers and just had to let it go.
“I’ll keep and oar, one the did the all the strokes and a piece of a broken one that I still have. There is one behind the bar in Dolans and I will give another oar from the boat to my rowing club – at least that way we will still have a link to Tess and that piece of history”.
Atlantic rower Sean McGowan and his wife Lorraine with his boat TESS which has been sold to an American buyer. The boat left Limerick this Wednesday and is bound by container for New York.
