Sir, – In choosing a modified Beaufort Scale to rate GAA incidents, Frank McNally is on a winner (An Irishman'sDiary, November 25th), but he scores an own-goal in not mentioning that Beaufort was an Irishman.
Navan-born, rear admiral Sir Francis Beaufort began his nautical career in 1787 as a cabin boy in the Royal Navy at age 13. His clergyman father published one of the earliest detailed maps of Ireland.
By age 31 Beaufort was in command of a survey ship in the south Atlantic.
Whether he ever witnessed a force 12 fracas on a GAA pitch is not recorded.
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– Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.