The SS Libau, more commonly known as the “SS Aud” was a ship that was captured at the start of the First World War and requisitioned to smuggle 25,000 rifles, 1,000,000 rounds of ammo, 10 machineguns and explosives from Germany into Ireland for the 1916 Rising. Most of the rifles were captured Russian Mosin-Nagant rifles from the Battle of Tannenburg earlier in the war.
On this day, 22/4/16, upon reaching Fenit in County Kerry on the southwest coast of Ireland, there were no Irish Volunteers present to unload the cargo. There was no radio on board to communicate and make arrangements.
After waiting for two hours, the Aud departed and was soon intercepted by the Royal Navy who escorted the ship to Cork Harbour. Once there, the captain, Captain Spindler, scuttled the ship and all of its contraband to prevent it getting into enemy hands. He and the crew would spend the remainder of the war in prison.
Sir Roger Casement was one of the men who had organised this delivery was arrested the day previous. Casement would subsequently be tried and hanged for his part in the 1916 Rising.
The Irish at War 