FLOATING PRISON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

FLOATING PRISON

Ship Will Solve Mutiny Problems

r PIIE Northern Ireland Government plans to use a 6000-ton ship as a floating prison for more than 200 I.R.A. men now in goal. They will bo kept in the ship until the war is over. A vessel has already been examined by Ulster Home Office officials and reconstruction will begin as soon as the deal goes through.

Three Hundred Cells About 300 cells will he built between decks and there will bo accommodation for a governor and warders, as well as the master, mate and crew of tho ship. The vessel will be anchored in a stretch of water well out from land and will be kept there in all weathers. The Ulster Government adopted a similar method in tho troubles of 1922. when the prison ship Argenta was anchored in Lough Larue. Hundreds of Republicans were on board, including men who afterwards became prominent

figures in political life both in Dublin and Belfast.

Experience gained in this enterprise will be utilised iii the new venture. The prison ship will enable Londonderry OJaol, where the majority of the internees are now imprisoned, to be cleared.

They began a mutiny in tho prison last Christmas, and have since been a source of anxiety, for the prison has to bo heavily guarded.