Donald Attig
Encyclopedia
Donald Attig is an inventor, boat designer, entrepreneur, yachtsman and adventurer.
, and Flanagan, Illinois
High School, and Eureka College
. He held a number of different jobs over the years.
While still in his twenties, Attig retired the first time to carry out a record setting voyage in a power cruiser, which he designed and built. Using it he became the first man from the area to make a water journey from Seneca, Illinois
on the Illinois River
to New Orleans, the terminus of the Mississippi River
. From New Orleans, he moved around the Gulf Coast, eventually crossing the Gulf of Mexico
to St. Petersburg, Florida
and cruised for a period on the yacht.
Donald Attig established three sets of World Class Benchmark records in the Adventure and Endurance Challenge categories. In the late sixties, he developed a system for assembly line production of panelized, all molded homes. Attig also created a Research Foundation, which he funded from his own resources.
in 1977 and traveled to many other places. Two of his five children, Omar Brendan and John Paul, were born on the vessel. For years, Attig and his son Omar operated free sailing excursions, on the Schooner, for at risk youth, with children of any religion from Northern Ireland
during the troubles, and others in need. After his eldest son, Omar, who had been born on the ship, was involved in a fatal car crash, Attig turned the ship over to the VEC Youth Reach Program.
In 2007, he organized and co-crewed in the first transit of the Shannon Navigation and beyond to the Seaport of Tarbert, County Kerry
, in a live aboard boat without an engine. Experienced boaters who understood the hazards involved in such a project thought it impossible. The River Shannon
is the longest river in Ireland and the UK.
In 2008, he traveled the entire Shannon Navigation and beyond to the Seaport of Foynes
, County Limerick, using the same live aboard boat without an engine.
In 2008, he was the first person to transit the entire River Erne
Navigation in a live aboard boat without an engine.
These three distinct and different World Class Benchmark establishing record efforts, when combined, involved moving over one ton of live aboard boat and gear over 600 miles (almost 1,000 kilometers) without an engine. Most of the distance was accomplished by rowing.
Additional Benchmark records he established include the total of miles transited in the combined efforts—a total of 600+ miles (960+ kilometers) over the bottom in the three contiguous years in an engineless live aboard boat. Also each record benchmark established over the three years has the additional claim of having a person over 70 involved in its establishment.
, in County Leitrim to the end of Shannon Navigation at Killaloe, County Clare
and beyond to the Port of Tarbot in the Sea Estuary, required dealing with 33 bridges, 6 locks, and nine lakes, without mechanical power. One of the locks, Ardnacrusha
has a descent of over 100 feet (30.5 m). Guides warn boaters, using large full powered cruisers, to only cross the larger lakes in company. The very strong flow though many of the bridges often throws full powered boats out of control, causing them to smash into the bridge piers. For example the water flow through the Bridge at Killaloe can be 600 to 700 Tonnes per second. This hazard of losing control in or approaching bridges can result in major damage and an occasional sinking. Each of the 4 turbines at the Ardnacrusha
power station, which is running, dumps 100 tons of water per second into the narrow, constricted, tail race. This maelstrom must be negotiated for the transit to the estuary. Powerboats are advised to remain in the center of the tail race and maintain high power. The prevailing wind is from the south west and funnels up the Shannon channel. This is a great impediment to an un-powered cabin boat proceeding down stream.
, Co. Cork (who was 60 at the time and had been living with full blown Multiple sclerosis
for over 2 decades) and Donnacha rowed well over 90% of the time. Most of that was in a zig-zag pattern due to the wind resistance of the large topside area and almost flat box type bow of the one ton plus of live-aboard boat and gear. When they reached Tarbert their Satellite navigation device indicated that the pair had traveled more than 268 miles (431.3 km).
at 10 A.M. They rowed from that spot to the Inismagrath "end of navigation" marker at the top of Lough Allen to begin the first ever attempt to make an engineless transit of the Shannon in a boat equipped with live aboard accommodations. Mr. Stephan Haeni, a Swiss National living at Cleighran More, witnessed their arrival and departure at the Inismagrath Marker. They completed the Shannon Navigation on Saturday, July 28, 2007, entering the Killaloe canal at 4:20 P.M. At that point, the official Shannon Navigation had been transited in and engineless live-aboard boat.
attempted to dissuade the pair from continuing on past the end of navigation marker at the Killaloe Bridge. Jack and Donald left the Killaloe Canal at 4:20 P.M. on July 28, 2007. They dropped anchor in the bay of the sea port of Tarbert, County Kerry
at 8 P.M. on August 8, establishing the final Benchmark records of their effort. Senior Citizens Jack Donovan and Donald Attig were the first crew to transit the entire River Shannon
Navigation and beyond in an engineless boat with full live aboard capability. Their record setting efforts were carried out during the wettest summer on the Shannon since 1947 and 48. The vessel and gear which they used in the benchmark record establishing effort weighed over one ton.
in the same vessel, Omar’s River Bird. RTÉ's Nationwide produced a segment about Shannon Challenge 2008 which aired June 6, 2008.
At 1:30 A.M. June 26, Donald Attig started at Cormongan beach on Lough Allen, in County Leitrim. He was driven back by the wind and had to anchor 30 metres (98.4 ft) from the beach. It was over two days before he could lift anchor and start for the marker at Inismagrath. At 12:05 A.M. on August 16, 2008, he reached the Seaport of Foynes
.
Navigation single-handed in an engineless live aboard boat. He used the same boat for this effort as was used in 2007 and 2008. There are enough hazards on the Erne Navigation to make passage in an engineless boat large enough to be live aboard a world class challenge. The Northern Ireland tourist site warns that Upper Lough Erne is a shallow maze and that waves on Lower Lough Erne can reach open-sea dimensions. Violent wind shears from the cliffs of Mago can create grave difficulties for full powered cruisers at any time. All this combines to create a formidable challenge for an engineless boat that has the windage connected with live-aboard accommodations. This Benchmark Record Establishing effort started at Belturbet
, Co Cavan August 6, at 6:30 P.M. It was attended by a number of dignitaries. The effort was completed Sunday August 30 at 7:45 P.M. at the Public dock in Belleek, County Fermanagh
.
supported, followed and chronicled the efforts. In 2007 the Lough Derg branch of IWAI awarded the boat and crew honorary membership in their annual Lough Derg rally. In the same year, the IWAI Cruising Club formally welcomed the boat into Foynes harbor, as it returned after completing the Benchmark establishing efforts at Tarbert. The club also made the crew and boat officially part of the 2007 Killaloe to Killrush Cruise in Company.
on the Du Quoin, Illinois
State Fairgrounds.
Biography
Attig attended St. Mary’s Grade School, Pontiac Township High SchoolPontiac Township High School
Pontiac Township High School is a public high school for grades 9-12 in Pontiac, Illinois, USA.PTHS offers over 100 courses, including nine AP classes....
, and Flanagan, Illinois
Flanagan, Illinois
Flanagan is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,083 at the 2000 census. The local high school and grade school are both located within the village limits.-Geography:Flanagan is located at ....
High School, and Eureka College
Eureka College
Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church and founded in 1855. It has a strong focus on the mutual development of intellect and character. Stated core values are learning, service and leadership...
. He held a number of different jobs over the years.
While still in his twenties, Attig retired the first time to carry out a record setting voyage in a power cruiser, which he designed and built. Using it he became the first man from the area to make a water journey from Seneca, Illinois
Seneca, Illinois
Seneca is a village in LaSalle and Grundy counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census.The LaSalle County portion of Seneca is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in Grundy County is part of the...
on the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
to New Orleans, the terminus of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. From New Orleans, he moved around the Gulf Coast, eventually crossing the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
to St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
and cruised for a period on the yacht.
Donald Attig established three sets of World Class Benchmark records in the Adventure and Endurance Challenge categories. In the late sixties, he developed a system for assembly line production of panelized, all molded homes. Attig also created a Research Foundation, which he funded from his own resources.
Toward the International Benchmark records
In 1968, by permission of the Honorable Brian O’Kelly, he became the first person to build a 3 mast sailing ship from the keel up in the US under the Irish Flag. For ten years Attig and his family lived and voyaged on the 3 mast sailing ship. Attig skippered the vessel over 5,000 miles on rivers and the inland waterways system before putting out to sea. During this 5,000 mile voyage on inland waterways, Attig developed and honed the skills which decades later would carry him through the World Class Benchmark record establishing efforts. Attig sailed with his wife and new born son to IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1977 and traveled to many other places. Two of his five children, Omar Brendan and John Paul, were born on the vessel. For years, Attig and his son Omar operated free sailing excursions, on the Schooner, for at risk youth, with children of any religion from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
during the troubles, and others in need. After his eldest son, Omar, who had been born on the ship, was involved in a fatal car crash, Attig turned the ship over to the VEC Youth Reach Program.
Benchmark Records in his seventies
Between the ages of 71 and 73 he was involved in establishing International Benchmark records in the fields of Endurance Challenge and Adventure Challenge:In 2007, he organized and co-crewed in the first transit of the Shannon Navigation and beyond to the Seaport of Tarbert, County Kerry
Tarbert, County Kerry
Tarbert is a town in the north of County Kerry, with woodland to the south and the Shannon estuary to the north. It lies on the N69 coast road that runs along the estuary from Limerick before turning inland at Tarbert towards Listowel, and has two schools Tarbert Primary and Tarbert...
, in a live aboard boat without an engine. Experienced boaters who understood the hazards involved in such a project thought it impossible. The River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
is the longest river in Ireland and the UK.
In 2008, he traveled the entire Shannon Navigation and beyond to the Seaport of Foynes
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
, County Limerick, using the same live aboard boat without an engine.
In 2008, he was the first person to transit the entire River Erne
River Erne
The River Erne , in the northwest of Ireland, rises in Beaghy Lough, two miles south of Stradone in County Cavan and flows 64 miles through Lough Gowna, Lough Oughter and Upper and Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, to the sea at Ballyshannon, County Donegal...
Navigation in a live aboard boat without an engine.
These three distinct and different World Class Benchmark establishing record efforts, when combined, involved moving over one ton of live aboard boat and gear over 600 miles (almost 1,000 kilometers) without an engine. Most of the distance was accomplished by rowing.
Additional Benchmark records he established include the total of miles transited in the combined efforts—a total of 600+ miles (960+ kilometers) over the bottom in the three contiguous years in an engineless live aboard boat. Also each record benchmark established over the three years has the additional claim of having a person over 70 involved in its establishment.
Shannon Benchmark records
The engineless transit, from the start of the Shannon Navigation at the Inishmagrath marker, on Lough AllenLough Allen
Lough Allen is a lake situated on the River Shannon, in the north-central part of Ireland, near Ireland's border region. Most of the lake is in County Leitrim, with a smaller portion in County Roscommon. The lake lies to the south of the river's source, near the Iron Mountains, and is the...
, in County Leitrim to the end of Shannon Navigation at Killaloe, County Clare
Killaloe, County Clare
Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina...
and beyond to the Port of Tarbot in the Sea Estuary, required dealing with 33 bridges, 6 locks, and nine lakes, without mechanical power. One of the locks, Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha power plant is a hydroelectric power station which was originally referred to as The Shannon Scheme. It is located near Ardnacrusha within County Clare approximately from the Limerick border. It is Ireland's largest river hydroelectric scheme and is operated on a purpose built canal...
has a descent of over 100 feet (30.5 m). Guides warn boaters, using large full powered cruisers, to only cross the larger lakes in company. The very strong flow though many of the bridges often throws full powered boats out of control, causing them to smash into the bridge piers. For example the water flow through the Bridge at Killaloe can be 600 to 700 Tonnes per second. This hazard of losing control in or approaching bridges can result in major damage and an occasional sinking. Each of the 4 turbines at the Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha power plant is a hydroelectric power station which was originally referred to as The Shannon Scheme. It is located near Ardnacrusha within County Clare approximately from the Limerick border. It is Ireland's largest river hydroelectric scheme and is operated on a purpose built canal...
power station, which is running, dumps 100 tons of water per second into the narrow, constricted, tail race. This maelstrom must be negotiated for the transit to the estuary. Powerboats are advised to remain in the center of the tail race and maintain high power. The prevailing wind is from the south west and funnels up the Shannon channel. This is a great impediment to an un-powered cabin boat proceeding down stream.
2007 Benchmark
During the 2007 record establishing effort, Jack Donovan of BallincolligBallincollig
Ballincollig is a satellite town in County Cork, Ireland, approximately 9 km west of Cork city. It is located beside the River Lee on the R608 regional road. In 2006 the population of Ballincollig DED was 16,308. The nearest towns include: Ballinora, Ovens, Killumney, Inniscarra, Blarney ,...
, Co. Cork (who was 60 at the time and had been living with full blown Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
for over 2 decades) and Donnacha rowed well over 90% of the time. Most of that was in a zig-zag pattern due to the wind resistance of the large topside area and almost flat box type bow of the one ton plus of live-aboard boat and gear. When they reached Tarbert their Satellite navigation device indicated that the pair had traveled more than 268 miles (431.3 km).
Shannon navigation attempt
Donald Attig and Jack Donovan started their benchmark establishing effort on June 29, 2007 at Cormongan beach on Lough AllenLough Allen
Lough Allen is a lake situated on the River Shannon, in the north-central part of Ireland, near Ireland's border region. Most of the lake is in County Leitrim, with a smaller portion in County Roscommon. The lake lies to the south of the river's source, near the Iron Mountains, and is the...
at 10 A.M. They rowed from that spot to the Inismagrath "end of navigation" marker at the top of Lough Allen to begin the first ever attempt to make an engineless transit of the Shannon in a boat equipped with live aboard accommodations. Mr. Stephan Haeni, a Swiss National living at Cleighran More, witnessed their arrival and departure at the Inismagrath Marker. They completed the Shannon Navigation on Saturday, July 28, 2007, entering the Killaloe canal at 4:20 P.M. At that point, the official Shannon Navigation had been transited in and engineless live-aboard boat.
Beyond the Shannon navigation
The Irish Coast GuardIrish Coast Guard
The Irish Coast Guard is part of the Department of Transport. The Irish Search and Rescue Region, which includes most of the Republic of Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland is the area over which the coast guard has authority. This area is bounded by the UK Search and Rescue Region...
attempted to dissuade the pair from continuing on past the end of navigation marker at the Killaloe Bridge. Jack and Donald left the Killaloe Canal at 4:20 P.M. on July 28, 2007. They dropped anchor in the bay of the sea port of Tarbert, County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
at 8 P.M. on August 8, establishing the final Benchmark records of their effort. Senior Citizens Jack Donovan and Donald Attig were the first crew to transit the entire River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
Navigation and beyond in an engineless boat with full live aboard capability. Their record setting efforts were carried out during the wettest summer on the Shannon since 1947 and 48. The vessel and gear which they used in the benchmark record establishing effort weighed over one ton.
2008 Single-handed feat
Donald Attig established more Adventure Challenge and Endurance Challenge records by making the same basic trip single handedSingle-handed sailing
The sport of single-handed sailing or solo sailing is sailing with only one crewmember . The term is usually used with reference to ocean and long-distance sailing, and particularly competitive sailing....
in the same vessel, Omar’s River Bird. RTÉ's Nationwide produced a segment about Shannon Challenge 2008 which aired June 6, 2008.
At 1:30 A.M. June 26, Donald Attig started at Cormongan beach on Lough Allen, in County Leitrim. He was driven back by the wind and had to anchor 30 metres (98.4 ft) from the beach. It was over two days before he could lift anchor and start for the marker at Inismagrath. At 12:05 A.M. on August 16, 2008, he reached the Seaport of Foynes
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
.
2009 More Benchmark Records
Donald Attig became the first person to complete the entire River ErneRiver Erne
The River Erne , in the northwest of Ireland, rises in Beaghy Lough, two miles south of Stradone in County Cavan and flows 64 miles through Lough Gowna, Lough Oughter and Upper and Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, to the sea at Ballyshannon, County Donegal...
Navigation single-handed in an engineless live aboard boat. He used the same boat for this effort as was used in 2007 and 2008. There are enough hazards on the Erne Navigation to make passage in an engineless boat large enough to be live aboard a world class challenge. The Northern Ireland tourist site warns that Upper Lough Erne is a shallow maze and that waves on Lower Lough Erne can reach open-sea dimensions. Violent wind shears from the cliffs of Mago can create grave difficulties for full powered cruisers at any time. All this combines to create a formidable challenge for an engineless boat that has the windage connected with live-aboard accommodations. This Benchmark Record Establishing effort started at Belturbet
Belturbet
Belturbet is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is from Cavan town from Dublin city. Belturbet lies on the N3 road. It is from the border with Northern Ireland between the counties of Cavan and Fermanagh and is south of Enniskillen.- History :...
, Co Cavan August 6, at 6:30 P.M. It was attended by a number of dignitaries. The effort was completed Sunday August 30 at 7:45 P.M. at the Public dock in Belleek, County Fermanagh
Belleek, County Fermanagh
Belleek is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. While the greater part of the village lies within County Fermanagh, part of it crosses the border into County Donegal, a part of Ulster that lies in the Republic of Ireland. This makes Belleek the western-most village in the United Kingdom...
.
Efforts witnessed and supported
All three of the above Benchmark establishing efforts were witnessed by thousands of persons and recorded at length in the media and press. The members of the Inland Waterways Association of IrelandInland Waterways Association of Ireland
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Cumann Uiscebhealaigh Intíre na hÉireann is a registered charity and a limited company in the Republic of Ireland and also operates in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1954 to campaign for the conservation and development of the waterways and their...
supported, followed and chronicled the efforts. In 2007 the Lough Derg branch of IWAI awarded the boat and crew honorary membership in their annual Lough Derg rally. In the same year, the IWAI Cruising Club formally welcomed the boat into Foynes harbor, as it returned after completing the Benchmark establishing efforts at Tarbert. The club also made the crew and boat officially part of the 2007 Killaloe to Killrush Cruise in Company.
Fabricated housing
From 1968 to 1971 Attig developed the world’s first all molded conventional appearing housing system. Attig designed the system and produced the first small panels in his plastic company located on Route 66 at Pontiac, Illinois. He then produced full sized molds, and directed production of the prototype in the Dura Plex Industries Plant located in Herrin Illinois. This received attention within the industry 22 national governments sent representatives to the grand opening of the prototypePrototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
on the Du Quoin, Illinois
Du Quoin, Illinois
Du Quoin is a city in Perry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,448 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Du Quoin is located at ....
State Fairgrounds.
External links
- Shannon Rower Donald Attig reaches Limerick
- Donald Sets Sail in Bid to Help Orphan
- Inventor: Donald B. Attig
- Don't forget to watch RTE Nationwide this weekend on the 6th July
- RTE Natonwide link to BOY OF HOPE segment
- 70 year old will row and sail the length of the river Erne
- South African Ambassador in Belturbet
- Information site about the Erne and its hazards
- Don Attig has set off today from Donoughmore again
- Link to Donald Attig's article on the Glouster Depth Sounder
- Don Attig's Boat Journey pictures