AT THE outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the regularity of the Derry boat sailings began to dwindle, as U-boat activity in the North Atlantic made a dangerous journey much more hazardous. Ships like The Thistle were re-commissioned for war service and only returned to Derry quay after the conflict. This, however, was at a time when Ireland’s conflict with Britain for its national independence was just getting underway and in which the Derry boat would play an important