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The Buckie boats

Just a brisk walk along the coast from Portknockie and you reach Buckie the largest fishing port in the area, most of the boats that had been out that day come from Buckie and the small villages adjacent.

Buckie was quite a lot smaller in those days but was a thriving and burgeoning fishing port. It was to gather in the small villages in its vicinity as the century progressed. Each village holding on to its independence from its larger neighbour on the hill but each inexorably moving into the out environs of what became the town of Buckie.

At the time however the last thing on the minds of the people were who belonged to where, all they knew was that their men were at sea, a terrible gale was blowing and their men faced the greatest danger.

In Buckie, the results of the gale were scarcely less disastrous than at Portknockie. The number of fishermen here, however, is larger than in any other town in Scotland. Buckie has a population of upwards of 3000 and the fishing is its main support. No fewer than twenty-nine large boats were out here; and like the Portknockie boats, the fishermen ventured far out to sea. They cast their lines from 25 to 30 miles off the land, about north-east from the Bin Hill of Cullen. The boats lay all pretty close together, and seeing the morning getting rather rough, they commenced to haul about seven o’clock. They proceeded as fast as possible, and by half past eleven, when the wind was getting very high, they were all nearly ready to proceed home. Some, however, had a few lines to draw. These were cut and left, the crews finding it necessary to run for the shore. By this time however, several were a considerable distance on the way homeward; but most of them left the fishing ground just as the gale began, or very shortly previous. A little before twelve the wind was getting very high; in fact, it blew little higher even in the height of th gale, but continued without abatement at the extraordinary violence to which it rose almost in an instant, the sea comparatively peaceful at first, gradually becoming more and more agitated, till the waves were perfectly terrific.

This map dates from 1870 and is a bit difficult to locate the various parts of the town. The Nook is clearly visible and it is here that one of the boats was tragically lost. By the time this map was drawn a Lifeboat shed had been built and can barely be made at almost the extreme left of the Nook. Unfortunately this was not in place when the disaster overtook the fishing fleet.

Some succeeded in taking a far more direct course homeward than others; hence the difference in the time of their arrivals. Two boats came in sight shortly after 12 o’clock, and got into the new harbour without much difficulty ere the wind had taken much effect in raising the waves. The full strength of the gale only overtook these early boasts when about a mile from shore, but all who noticed from the land the rise of the hurricane agree in this – that a boat a couple of mile behind these two, or twenty minutes later in reaching the land, could not have approached the harbour with any but the merest chance of being saved. From Portessie to Buckie, it may be stated, is a mile, and the coast between the two towns is chiefly sands. It is divided into three or four separate sections by comparatively narrow ledges of rocks jutting out from the land a little way into the sea. One of these divisions, close to the Coastguard Station, is known as “The Neuk”, the next, eastwards, as the “Sauters”, the next being known as the “Burn of Rathven” etc. When a storm at sea rises, which renders it dangerous to approach such harbours as they have in that locality, the fishermen’s only safe alternative is to run their boats ashore on these broad sandy beaches, where they stick fast, and there is nothing against which the sea can dash and break or damage their bottoms .

Just along the coast from Buckie is the port of Portessie, the corner of the Nook can be seen at the top right of the picture. It was in this area that many of the boats came ashore. The men of Portessie had taken a vote on the morning of the storm having looked at their barometers (glass) and decided that it was likely the weather would worsen swiftly that day.

When it was seen how the sea rose, the greatest possible excitement was created in Buckie. People seemed disposed to run everywhere, and no one knew where to run. It was nearly an hour after the first two boats got into the harbour ere the others came in sight. Bye and Bye however, they began to appear, most of them evidently making for these sands opposite and east of the new town of Buckie – some for “Craigenroan”. The place of shelter already alluded to east of Portessie. The attention of the Buckie people was chiefly centred in the arrivals at their own shore, as the others were scarcely seen; and while their own boats were every now and then, from two to three o’clock, dropping in at home, there was the chance of those running for “Craigenroan” belonged to other to other towns.

The media of the day describes it as the ‘greatest possible excitement’ but reading it in the cold light of day some 150 years later it was nothing short of mass panic as people did not seem to know what to do for the best. It would be easy of us today to dismiss it as just that, but we must remember how much man has progressed since that time, not very long in terms of mankind but the progression in technology and education to name but two have been nothing short of staggering.

Portessie Bay on a quiet summer morning is one of the most beautiful sights imaginable, a sight which is common along most of the Moray coast which is a place of outstanding natural beauty. The sea however can be fickle; it can turn into a savage beast within hours. With danger riding with baleful menace on the top of every wave. The wind screaming like a banshee when just hours before it was whispering softly. Men scurrying around on their suddenly rather flimsy boats to make things fast as it seemed all hell had broken loose among them.

The tempest was nearly at its full height by two o’clock, and as boats came each in sight (they were only seen a short way off land) there was a shriek, while the utmost anxiety prevailed till they were each ashore and the men landed, everyone providing themselves with ropes and whatever could be supposed likely to be useful in putting forth efforts to save life. The crowd ran from one point to another along the coast to whatever place it was likely the boats would strike, and most enthusiastic were the exertions made by one and all, to let the imperilled men out of jeopardy as soon as ever they came in reach. The boats, as they arrived, were secured with mooring ropes, and a hand or two left to take care of each, while the spare men spread themselves along the beach to assist in saving the lives and property of their fellows in distress.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 4 The newspaper reporter of the day then follows the story of the crew of a boat which foundered about 20 yards off shore at Buckie at around 1.30 – 2 pm on the day. The men had fought strenuously to get back to safety but were overwhelmed when it was swamped by a series of huge waves and all the crew were washed over the side. They were all lost within minutes. Most were recovered from the sea.

Name Age M/S Parents Regd By

1. James Clark 36 M John Clark (Dec) Body found John Clark Helen Murray Brother

2. George Thomson 43 M George Thomson (Dec) Body found Alexander Thomson ‘Caukie’ Ann Reid (Dec) Brother

3. William Thomson 24 S John Thomson Body found Alexander Thomson ‘Caukie’ Helen Murray Cousin

4. John Jappy 23 S George Jappy (Dec) Body found James Jappy ‘Turley’ Margaret Wilson Brother

5. William Main 32 M Hugh Main (Dec) Body found George Main Mary Murray (21/12/1857) Brother

6. Peter Murray 28 M James Murray Body found James Murray ‘Costie’ Jane Murray (Dec) (04/01/1858) ‘Costie’ – brother

7. John Murray 19 M George Murray ‘Gouk’ Body not found George Murray Mary Flett Father

8. George Murray 22 M George Murray ‘Gouk’ Body not found George Murray ‘Gouk’ Mary Flett Father

Reading of their death in such circumstances it is quite difficult to come to terms with it all, they were so near to safety; they had battled their way almost to shore only to be plucked from life when safety was just a stones throw away. It must have been terrible for the men to die in such circumstances, elation one minute on seeing how close they were to complete safety and the next moment they were gone. Those watching from the shore must have gone through many emotions as they stood virtually helpless watching these men being drowned before their eyes. There was little anyone could do to save the men who struggled in the water so near to safety and yet so very far, the exhausted men disappeared one by one into the maelstrom.

Great as the danger of landing was, four boats came in at the “Sauters” in safety, and the people on shore had almost begun to hope that all their friends might yet be rescued. But about half pas two o’clock, a fifth boat, like the others, without a stitch of canvas, came in sight. This one was pretty far west, and was expected to land at “The Neuk” opposite New Buckie. Tossed mountain high at one moment, and the next down between the gigantic waves, all out of sight but the top of the masts, she came along in much the same circumstances as the others. Hundreds were gathered at the point she was expected to reach. She had come so near that the men on board were perfectly well recognised by their friends on shore, among whom there were wives in the very depths of anxiety to rescue their husbands from the angry deep, fathers to rescue their sons, brother to welcome brother etc. But how sad it was! Within a hundred yards of the shore, a tremendous sea all at once struck the boat on her broad-side and turned her right over, as quick as a man would turn his hand, the crew of course being all cast into the water. The crowd on shore, as if thunderstruck, held up their hands, and cried and shrieked, many of them in perfect distraction. The scene was heart-rendering. The first sudden manifestations of grief and alarm, bye and bye toned down to mournful wailings, but the excitement and confusion were still very great. Three of the men were never seen. On that very spot they had sunk to rise no more. Two seemed to get on to the bottom of the boat, his but one very shortly disappeared. The other one, however, stood up on his feet, and put his hands to his waistcoat near the buttons, from which act it was supposed he was preparing to strip and be in readiness to swim. The interest of those on shore in seeing him in this perilous position will be more easily imagined than described, as will also the grief of his friends, when they saw the first heavy sea wash him away from the footing he had gained, and, in its rolling fury, hide him forever, it would appear, from human eyes. The remaining three of the eight who were on board (the crew numbered eleven, but three had not gone to sea that day), also disappeared for a little, but in a short time they were seen floating about on spars and pieces of masts; and hope still existed that rescue might be extended to them. They were driven from one point to another with fearful velocity, and indeed were only now and again visible. Anxiety was felt in every breast still more acutely than ever, as these three were wafted nearer and nearer the shore; and so sorely did they struggle, that, even against every probability, hope insinuated that their safety was possible.

So who were these poor men, who were their parents, their wives and their children? What happened to them after the events of this terrible day? How would they cope with the heavy weight of grief that lay before them once the tally had been completed following such scenes as never witnessed in such magnitude before?

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 6 1. James Clark (36) , son of John Clark (Deceased) and Helen Murray. At the time of the 1851 census record it seems that James Clark was not married and was living with his uncle William Murray a 62 years old fisherman. John Clark was aged 30 and a fisherman at the time the census was taken in 1851.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 3 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 26 Schedule: 110 Address: 102 Village Of Buckie Surname First name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Murray William Head M M 62 Fisher Buckie Murray Jane Wife M F 63 Buckie Murray James Son U M 26 Fisher Buckie Murray Margaret Daur U F 24 House Servant Buckie Murray William Son U M 22 Fisher Buckie Cowie Helen Daur M F 32 Buckie Cowie James Grand son M 9 Scholar Buckie Cowie William Grandson M 7 Scholar Buckie Cowie Jane Grandaur F 1 Buckie Clark James Nephew U M 30 Fisher Buckie Jappie Jannet Servant U F 48 House Servant Buckie

If he married in the period between the 1851 census and the day of disaster on 23 rd November 1857 then I have to concede that I can find no trace of his marriage. I cannot check any further census records as he was deceased in 1857 and the next census was not taken until 1861.

His record will have to remain in this uncertain state until other information of James Clark comes to light and we can then perhaps trace his line to the future.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 7 2. George Thomson ‘Caukie’ (43) son of George Thomson (deceased) and Anne Reid (Deceased) George Thomson had been born on 12 th June 1814 and had married Lesinda Petrie on 26 th June 1842 at Rathven. She had been married before to George Wood of Portknockie, they had two children in that marriage, James Wood being born on 12 th July 1838 and his sister Jane Wood born on 11 th April 1840. Sometime between 1840 and 1842 George Wood had died and the widow Wood had married and taken her children with her.

The 1851 census record shows the following;-

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 3 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 13 Schedule: 55 Address: 52 Village Of Buckie Surname First name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Thomson George Head M M 37 Fisher Buckie Thomson Lascincha Wife M F 34 Fishers Wife Banff Thomson Ann Daur F 8 Scholar Buckie Thomson George Son M 5 Scholar Buckie Thomson Margaret Daur F 3 Scholar Buckie Wood James Stepson M 13 Scholar Portknockie Wood Jane Stepdaur F 11 Scholar Portknockie Anderson Ann M-in-Law W F 60 Portknockie

This record in itself tells a great deal, George’s wife Lascincha had obviously been widowed with her first husband from Portknockie with a surname of Wood. Lascincha’s maiden surname prior to marriage was found to have been Petrie with her father having died before this census date as indicated by the W for Widow in the ‘status’ field of Ann Anderson who had reverted to her maiden surname following the death of her husband.

Mrs Thomson was again left without a main bread-winner, she now had five children to care for along with her mother. The eldest child at the time of the death of their father would have been James Wood now aged 19.

The family have increased in size since the 1851 census record was taken; Lousindea Thomson is now a widow aged 43 and is described as formerly a fisher’s wife born in Banff. James Wood her eldest son to her first husband George Wood is now 20 years of age and a Whitefisher. Ann Thomson who had been her first child to George Thomson was no 17 years of age. Her brother George is now a 14 years old scholar as is his young sister Margaret who had been 3 years old in 1851 but was now 12 years old.

George Thomson had obviously had three more children between the 1851 census record being taken and his death in 1857. Additions to the family were Alexander Thomson born circa 1851 just after the census and now 10 years of age in 1861. He has two younger sisters in Lousindea is six years old and had been born circa 1855 and young Mary Thomson who was now 3 years of age and had been born in Buckie on 4 th April 1858 some five months after her fathers death. Her step-brother James Wood registered her birth at Buckie.

For fully twenty minutes they floated about in this situation, latterly coming within about twenty yards of where the people were standing – so near that, had the sea been ordinarily calm, hundreds were there who would have considered it no difficult task to go into the water and give them a hand. One man cried to his brother to put his hair away from his eyes, when, by the motion the latter made, it was evident he heard quite distinctly. Two or three different times he obeyed, putting up his hand, and rubbing his hair over his forehead. An anxious wife actually, we believe, rushed into the tide nearly to the neck, in an endeavour to rescue her husband, but her heroic effort was completely unavailing. The tide was ebbing at the time, but the waves, in terrible force rushed far up the beach, and swept back again with fearful power. No one could keep a footing in it. Attempts were made to join hands and thus extend help to the unfortunate men, but besides the weight of water itself, the backgoing of the waves hurled the gravel beach from below their feet, so that to stand on it was impossible. While these vain efforts were being made at rescue, the men, worn out in the raging surf, sank, one after another, amide the cries and shrieks of their despairing relatives.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 9 3. William Thomson ‘Caukie’ (24 ) son of John Thomson and Helen Murray. His parents had been married on 21 st April 1816, John Thomson was the son of William Thomson and Catherine Wood and Helen Murray was the daughter of George Murray and Margaret Jappy. Despite best efforts I can find no record of birth registration for William Thomson who would have been born in circa 1833.

As is usual when you find one way I looked for other ways to get some information about his siblings and family descendants in order for any current related person to try and find out more. His father John Thomson died aged 69 years on 29 th October 1859 at Buckie, he was buried in Rathven churchyard; his wife Helen was still alive at the time of his death which was registered by his son George Thomson ‘Caukie’. I then looked for anything on George Thomson but he proved to be equally elusive. His mother Helen Murray died aged 77 years on 17 th February 1873, her death was registered by her grandson Thomas Sutherland. I was then on track with Margaret Thomson who was a sibling of William Thomson and I have tried to trace her family from that point.

Through Thomas Sutherland I traced his mother who must have been a Thomson. He was the son of Robert Sutherland and Margaret Thomson ‘Caukie’; they had married at Rathven on 23 rd November 1845. Robert Sutherland was the son of James Sutherland a General Labourer and Ann Davidson. He was a mason by occupation and it looks like they moved, briefly, to the Leith area of Edinburgh where their first son George Sutherland was born on 6 th January 1847. I have tried in vain to find the family on the earlier census records when they moved back to Banffshire. I did find them on the 1881 census record. They were resident at 35 Seatown Buckie.

Name Rel Occ M/U Age Sex Birthplace Robert Sutherland Head Mason M 66 M Buckie Margaret Sutherland Wife M 56 F Buckie Mary Sutherland Daur Gen. Servant U 20 F Buckie James Sutherland Son Plasterer U 17 M Buckie Robert Reid Grandson Scholar 8 M Buckie

This record is interesting inasmuch as it shows the young brother of Thomas Sutherland; he registered his brother’s death as shown below. It also shows Robert Reid an 8 years old grandson which means that another daughter of Robert and Margaret’s married a man called Reid.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 10 Their son Thomas Sutherland must have been born in the latter months of 1846 as his death record shows that he died on 27 th December 1887 at 5 Mid Street, Buckie; he was aged 41 years from Phthisis (stone dresser) which he had suffered from for two years. He too was a mason like his father and it was obviously an occupational hazard. His death was registered by his brother James Sutherland which means that Margaret Thomson had at least three sons. Thomas Sutherland had married Margaret Blair.

A check of the 1881 census revealed the family of Thomas Sutherland residing at 35 Seatown in Buckie. The same address as Thomas’s parents.

Name Rel. Occ. M/U Age Sex Birthplace Thomas Sutherland Head Mason M 34 M Buckie Margaret Sutherland Wife M 34 F Buckie Margaret-Ann Sutherland Daur Scholar U 9 F Buckie Mary Sutherland Daur Scholar U 7 F Buckie Georgina Sutherland Daur 1 F Buckie Ann Blair Mother in Law Retd. Dressmaker W 60 F Keith

Unfortunately Georgina Sutherland died aged just 11 years at home at 10 Mid Street, Buckie on 13 th May 1891, her father Thomas was died by that time having succumbed himself some two years earlier from Phthisis, her mother’s maiden name on this certificate is given as Margaret Sutherland m.s. Ogilvie. This would appear to conflict with Thomas’s death certificate where her name is given as Blair. The death of Thomas was registered by his brother James and the death of Georgina was registered by her grandfather Robert Sutherland. He made his mark on the certificate and may not have noticed the written error on the certificate if that is what it was.

Robert Sutherland died in 1899 at his home at 10 Mid Street, Buckie on 21 st May 1899, he was 83 years of age and his death was registered by his son James Sutherland who was then living in Dufftown. Margaret Sutherland his wife, was still living and she herself did not pass away until the 21 st August 1903 when she was 76 years of age and following a bout of Bronchitis she died at home at 10 Mid Street, Buckie with her Grandson Robert S Reid registering her death. That was the last direct link I could find to William Thomson ‘Caukie’. I went on to try and find what happened to her grandson who would be distantly related to William – Robert Reid was, you will remember, 8 years of age and living with his grandparents at the 1881 census. Robert Reid the Grand Nephew of William Thomason ‘Caukie’ was born on 13 th March 1873 at his home in Port Gordon, his father was George Reid a Seaman in the Merchant Service, and his mother was Anne Sutherland, they had been married on 8 th October 1869 at Enzie, His birth was registered by his uncle Alexander Reid also of Port Gordon.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 11 On the 11 th January 1899 at 9 Richmond Place Portgordon, Robert Sutherland Reid a 25 years old Master Plasterer and a bachelor married Margaret Coull a 23 years old spinster of 9 Richmond Place Port Gordon, her father was William Coull and her mother was Margaret Innes. The ceremony was celebrated in the Free Church of Scotland and was taken by Archibald Kerr of Enzie, the witnesses were William Garden and Annie Coull.

The 1901 census for the family of Robert Sutherland Reid was found and shows as follows:-

The family shared the house at 9 Richmond Place Portgordon. The principals in the house were James Cowie a 44 years old fisherman and his wife Maggie Cowie who was 38 years of age, they had a 17 years old daughter Jeannie at home working as a General Servant, she had four younger siblings in James aged 14 years, Maggie Bella who was aged 11, both scholars and their younger sisters Lily aged 4 years and May aged 10 months. In another part of the house lived William Coull and his wife Margaret Coull, he was also a 47 years old fisherman, his wife being 44 years of age, they had their daughter Margaret Coull REID staying with them, she was aged 30 (according to the census taker), her two young sisters Williamina aged 18 and Isabella aged 14 were also living with their parents along with Violet M. C. Reid the granddaughter of William Coull who was aged 2 years of age.

I found the birth certificate for Violet Marguerite Coull Reid, she was born on 2 nd November 1899 at 9 Richmond Place, Portgordon, Enzie, Banff, the daughter of Robert Sutherland Reid and Margaret Reid m.s. Coull who had been married on 11 th January 1899 at Enzie. Their normal place of residence was at 1 The Square Dufftown. Her birth was registered by her father Robert Reid.

The masters of the coastguard were there like the others, anxious for the opportunity to save life; but they have no “Mamby apparatus” at Buckie, nor life-boat, scarcely, in fact, any life- buoys. It is not supposed that in this case, however, either of these preservatives could have been of much avail, yet it would have been gratifying to the poor disconsolate friends of lost men to have seen them tried.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 12 4. John Jappie ‘Turley’ (23) son of George Jappie (deceased) and Margaret Wilson As can be seen from the death notice, George Jappie the father of John was already deceased when his son John drowned near Buckie in the terrible gale of 23 rd November 1857. It would appear that he had been dead prior to the 1851 census record being taken as the following shows;-

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 3 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 24 Schedule: 103 Address: 95 Village Of Buckie

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Jappie Margaret Head W F 53 Fishers Widow Buckie Jappie William Son U M 27 Fisher Buckie Jappie Mary Daur U F 24 Fishers Servant Buckie Jappie Alexander Son U M 16 Fisher Buckie Jappie Helen Daur F 13 Fishers daur Buckie Jappie James Son M 11 Fishers son Buckie

While the above record of census shows the family of John Jappie, there is no note of John being with the family. It would appear that John had been lodged with his uncle Peter Jappie.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 3 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 3 Schedule: 12 Address: 11 Village Of Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Jappie Peter Head M M 35 Fisher Buckie Jappie Jannet Wife M F 32 Fishers wife Buckie Jappie Margaret Daur F 12 Fishers daur Buckie Jappie Alexander Son M 10 Scholar Buckie Jappie Peter Son M 11m Buckie Jappie Peter Nephew M 14 Pauper Scholar Buckie Reid Jannet Servant F 15 Fishers Servant Buckie

He is given as a Pauper and a scholar in the following record which is the only one I found for a boy aged around 16 years. In the census record he is given as 14 years of age which would fit with the gap between Alexander and Helen Jappie shown above. Of course it does not agree with the age given at death which was registered by his younger brother James who himself would have been 16 years of age at the time of the tragedy. I cannot be absolutely certain of

I researched his brother Alexander who is shown on the 1851 census at 95 Village of Buckie above aged 16 years. In the 1881 census record I found him at West Street as follows:-

Occupation Status age Sex Where Born Alexander Jappy Head Fisherman Married 47 Male Buckie Mary Jappy Wife Married 45 Female Buckie Alexander Jappy Son Fisherman Single 15 Male Buckie Mary Jappy Daur Scholar Single 11 Female Peterhead John Jappy Son Son 3 Male Buckie Jane Cowie Serv General Servant Single 30 Female Buckie

I could find no trace of the birth of either of his sons or his daughter Mary, it is possible that they just did not register them. I then moved on to John Jappy the youngest of the family of the brother of the John Jappie ‘Turley’ who had perished on 23 rd November 1857. I resorted to the census records in an attempt to find out what happened to him. The 1891 census record for him

This shows that his father (and the brother of John Jappie ‘Turley’) is now 57 years of age, his wife Mary is still alive and is 56 years of age. Their son Alexander is still at home and is now 26 years of age, daughter Mary is 20 and John the youngest in the family is 13 years of age. The family are living at 6 West Street, Buckie.

I then moved to the 1901 census record and found the family at the same address, 6 West Street, Buckie;-

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 14 This latest record available shows that Alexander Jappy the father is still alive and aged 66 years and his status is now as a Widower; his wife Mary has obviously died between 1891 and 1901. His son Alexander has left the family home. Mary is still there and is now aged 30 years. Her brother John is also still there, he is given as a fisherman and is still single. With no further census records available to research I was left with the possible marriage of John Jappy and his death. I found his death first which led me to his marriage.

He married on the 20 th November 1918 at the Crown Temperance Hotel in Stornoway under the forms of the Free Church of Scotland, he was given as a 35 years old bachelor, a fisherman serving as a mate in the Royal Naval Reserves, his home address was given as 6 West Street Buckie and his parents as Alexander Jappy (Deceased) and Mary Jappy m.s. Cowie – at long last I was able to identify Mary as a Cowie. His bride was Catherine Graham, a domestic servant, single aged 24 and living at 38 Point Street, Stornoway, her father and mother were still alive, he was Hugh Graham a fisherman and her mother was Mary Graham m.s. MacLeod. The service was taken by Kenneth Cameron of the Free Church of Stornoway, witness were Alexander McLeod and Christina Graham. Sadly his death ultimately followed, he died on Stornoway on 8 th May 1950, a retired House Painter, his home address in Stornoway. He was 72 years of age and his wife Catherine was still living. His son A Jappy of Taunton in Somerset registered his father’s death; it is possible that he is named Alexander after his Grandfather and Great Grandfather I may need to assist the reader to track back to the man we were talking about in the first place, he was John Jappie ‘Turley’ aged 23 when he perished and the son of George Jappie and Margaret Wilson. We have travelled many miles and almost a hundred years to reach his brothers great grandson who lived in Taunton in 1950. It is possible that this grandson is still alive and no doubt has family of his own – perhaps they may even catch a glimpse of this at some time and read of their Great Grandfather’s brother who was another victim of the killer storm of 23 rd November 1857.

Ere the above tragic scene had closed, it was about half past three. In the earnestness of the desire to save the three men , the boat had almost been lost sight of. In about an hour, however, it was cast upon the rocks close by the coastguard station. In the course of a few minutes after, on its being looked at, strange to say, the body of one of its crew was discovered in its bottom partly entangled in a sail, partly in ropes. It is one of the most singular incidents of the catastrophe how he could have stuck in the boat, seeing that it was several times bottom upwards. When the body of the man was taken out, some signs of life were manifested, but, though medical aid was on the spot, and every exertion made to restore life, it was all unavailing.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 15 3. William Main (32) son of Hugh Main (Deceased) and Mary Murray Once again the census records for the family show just what has happened to them insofar as official records are concerned. It is obvious from the 1851 census records that Hugh Main his father had died before the census record was taken. I could find no record of his parents being married but did find his siblings;- James Main born 29 th March 1827 George Main born 8 th February 1829. William Main married Jane Murray the daughter of William Murray and Annie Cowie and the first documented record I could find was that of the 1851 census record. At the 1851 census record his brother George is staying with him at the West End of Little Yard in Buckie and his widowed mother Mary Murray (Main) is with him there too, her age is given as 50 years which gives her date of birth around 1801. His brother James is not on the family list and it is presumed that he is out on his own and perhaps married. William and his young wife Jane have one son Alexander who as can be seen is just born prior to the census record being taken.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 2 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 18 Schedule: 68 Address: West End Of Little Yard Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Main William Head M M 24 Whitefisher Buckie Main Jane Wife M F 22 Buckie Main Alexander Son M 4m Buckie Main George Brother U M 22 Whitefisher Buckie Main Mary Mother W F 50 Buckie

I have obtained the 1861 census record, four years after the death of William Main and things have changed in the family – Jane is now 32, she now has two other sons, William and James and a daughter who must have been born just after her father’s death in November 1857. Her mother in law Mary Main is still 50 years of age for some reason and her brother in law George is still living with his mother. His mother’s sister Ann Murray is now living with the family, she too is unmarried.

The family are staying at Low Shore and now include Jane Main Head Widow 32 Fisherwoman Alexander Main Son 10 Scholar William Main Son 8 Scholar James Main Son 6 Scholar Mary Main Daur Infant 4 Scholar In the same house and still living with the family are;- Mary Main Head Widow 50 Fisherwoman George Main Son U 36 Whitefisher Ann Murray Sister U 46 Domestic Servant

Above is a transliteration of the record below

The 1871 census record for the family shows as follows;- They have moved back to Buckie and are now in the resident at No 4 Yardies as you can see below.

Jane Main is still the head of the family, remaining a widower, now aged 42 years of age. Her son William is still unmarried and is now 19 years of age, he is now at the fishing as is his young brother James Main who is now aged 16 years. Their sister Mary Main is 14 years of age and still at school albeit about to complete her education.

The mother of William Main and mother in law of Jane Main is still near the family now aged 72 with her sister Ann unmarried and aged 48 years of age.

I took the family on a bit further and found the following;- On 5 th April 1878 James Main (23) married Helen Farquhar (22) the daughter of Peter Farquhar and Janet Clark of Portessie, they were married by Robert Shanks the Free Church Minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Buckie.

On 18 th January 1884 James Mains’ sister Mary was married to William Murray a 24 years old fisherman of the Seatown, Buckie. He was the son of Alexander Murray and Janet Thain both of whom were still living at the time of the wedding in the Free Church of Scotland.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 17 On 2 nd September 1881 James Main and Ellen Farquhar had a son, William Main who was born at 20 Port Henry Road, Peterhead with the usual residence being at Yardie Buckie. His father James registered his birth.

On 5 th February 1906 Jane Main the widow of William Main who perished on 23 rd November 1857, died at 69 Yardie, she was 77 years of age and had suffered bronchitis for 9 days prior to her death. Her son James Main registered his mother’s death.

James Main died aged 62 on the 2 nd November 1915 in the Chalmers Hospital in Banff; his usual residence was 68 Yardie, Buckie. His wife Ellen (Helen) Farquhar had pre-deceased him. James died from ulceration of the colon and his death was registered by his son William Main. William Main Jnr. was still living in 1955 and I have not gone further than that just in case some of the family are still living.

After witnessing such a distressing scene, which arose from no more unfavourable circumstances than those to which the other boats might be subjected before they reached a landing-place, the forebodings of the people were melancholy in the extreme, for there were many boats unaccounted for at the time. Literally “men’s hears were failing them for fear”. Up to four o’clock however, boats continued to come ashore on the beach between Buckie and Portessie. They only made the passage with great difficulty and peril, and it was at extreme risk that the men got out of the boats, and, through the dashing spray and foam, reached the beach, to receive the enthusiastic congratulations of friends on their marvellous escape. Some six or seven boats landed in the same neighbourhood after the accident, and had their crews saved, though most of the boats are more or less damaged.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 18 6. Peter Murray ‘Costie’ (28 ) was born on 26 th October 1828 the second youngest son of James Murray and Jane Murray who had married on 9 th July 1815 at Rathven. They had the following family;-

i. George Murray Born 17 th May 1817 ii. Jane Murray Born 8 th September 1819 iii. John Murray born 18 th April 1821 iv. William Murray Born 12 th December 1823 v. Janet Murray Born 29 th March 1825 vi. George Murray Born 14 th July 1827 vii. Peter Murray Born 26 th October 1828 Perished at sea 23 rd November 1857 viii. James Murray Born 8 th August 1829

His younger brother James Murray registered his death.

I tried in vain to find the marriage record of Peter Murray so had to resort to his brother George Murray to try and relate Peter’s death to his family descendants of today.

George Murray had married Elizabeth Legg the daughter of George Legg a crofter and Isabella Runcie. Their son James Murray was born on 8 th April 1853 at Buckie. Sadly his father George the brother of Peter Murray above died of Typhus Fever a killer disease which he suffered from for four weeks before his death at aged 37 years. He died on 2 nd October 1864 at Buckie; his death was registered by his brother James Murray.

His widow Elizabeth did not remarry and died on 7 th November 1895 at 29 Yardie Buckie from acute Bronchitis, her brother in law William Thomson of 30 New Street, Buckie registered her death.

In the interim period her son James Murray had married Ann Reid the daughter of James Reid and Catherine Thain. They had married on 12 th November 1875 at Rathven. Their child George Murray, named after his now dead grandfather, was born 28 th April 1887 at 62 Yardie, Buckie, his birth registered by his father James Murray.

Unfortunately his mother suffered from Puerperal Peritonitis (Childbed fever) following his birth and died on 8 th May 1887 at their home at 62 Yardie, Buckie. Her brother in law George Murray registered her death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 19 In 1895 James Murray remarried aged 42 to Jessie Murray a widow of 34, on the 2 nd July 1895 at 2 Cathedral Street, Buckie after banns of the Church of Scotland. James Murray was living at 29 Yardie and his new wife at 2 Cathedral Street, Buckie. She was the daughter of James Murray and Ann Mair. The ceremony was conducted by the Reverend James Boath Wood with witnesses being Elizabeth Murray (Legg) and William Murray.

George Murray the son of James Murray and Annie Reid was himself married on 21 st September 1917 at 15 Hall Street, Buckie under the auspices of the Baptist Church, he was 30 years of age and a fisherman currently serving on HM Drifter “Coulard Bank” (?), his home address was 8 Pringle Street, Buckie. His new wife was Jeannie Jappy aged 24 of 15 Hall Street Buckie and daughter of George Jappy and Elspet Findlay (Deceased) the minister was Walter James Patters and James Murray and Maggie Jane Jappy were the witnesses.

James Murray the son of George Murray and Elizabeth Legg and who would have been the nephew of Peter Murray who was lost on 23 rd November 1857 died on 13 th June 1937 at 8 Pringle Street, Buckie. He was aged 84 years. His son George of 39 Gordon Street Buckie registered his death.

About 2.15 pm a boat, William Clark’s, was seen drifting in the direction of the harbour – we say ’drifting ‘for it was merely a chance where most, if not all, of the boats struck; or, as the men say, “it was just wherever wind and sea drove them”. Coming close in, this boat went crash against the very point of the new west pier. One of her sides near the stern was tremendously broken, and she immediately sunk. The water was comparatively shallow, however, and so near the water’s edge , the breakers had tremendous power. The men clung to the boat with great pertinacity, except two who, while standing at the bow, were swept away without getting a hold of anything. The cool presence of mind, and power of action in the other men, in this trying moment, was truly remarkable. As the two men were being washed alongside of the boat, the rest, who were near the stern, stretched over the boat’s edge and hauled them in over, and thus saved their lives. The boat was as likely to be driven up the backside of the west pier as anywhere else, and there she could only have been dashed against the rocks, and nothing could have saved anyone on board from perishing. Luckily, however, the sea swept her right into the harbour, in the middle of which two or three heaves sent her right upon terra firma and the men were got out quite easily, one of them, however, being a good deal bruised, and the boat itself, to all appearances, being so damaged as to be irreparable.

The two brothers died together when the boat went down. Both parents were still alive at the time and to lose two sons in one accident must have been a terrible experience to them and the siblings of George and John. The 1851 census record for the family some six years before their death shows the family thus;-

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven-Banffshire Enumeration District: 2 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 12 Schedule: 52 Address: East End Little Yard

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Born Murray George Head M M 40 Whitefisher Buckie Murray Mary Wife M F 40 Buckie Murray James Son U M 17 Whitefisher Buckie Murray George Son U M 15 Whitefisher Buckie Murray John Son U M 13 Whitefisher Buckie Murray Jannet Daur F 11 Buckie Murray Mary Daur F 8 Buckie

John Murray and George Murray parents were both still alive when there two sons were lost at Buckie that day. George Murray Snr had been born circa 1811 see record of death in 1857 folder and was the son of James Murray and Janet Clark. George Snr died 12 th December 1886 at Yardie Buckie from Bronchitis and his death was registered by his daughter Janet. Mary Flett his wife died aged 79 years on 30 th January 1890 at Portessie, her parents were William Flett and Mary Sutherland, Mary Flett died of gradual decay through age and her death was registered by her son James Murray.

As you can see from the census record above there is no mention of the oldest brother of the family and first son, he was William Murray born 23rd December 1831. He has obviously left the family home perhaps to set up his own home as he would have been 20 years of age at the time of the census record. That was a fairly standard age for young fishermen to get married.

The other older brother of John and George Murray was James Murray born 20 th September 1833. He was married on 12 th December 1856 to Mary Findlay the daughter of William Findlay and Margaret Bruce. He was a 22 years old fisherman and Mary Findlay was aged 22 and a domestic servant. They were married in Buckie by the Reverend James Crichton with witnesses being William Gaitland and John Murray (presumed to be brother John who perished at sea on

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 21 23 rd November 1857) Like many young people of the day the young couple had little schooling and both made their mark on their wedding forms. They had at least one son George Murray who registered his father James Murray’s death aged 63 years on 12 th April 1895, he died at his home address of 32 Yardie Buckie, his wife Mary Findlay was still alive at the time of his death from Apoplexy. His wife Mary Findlay died aged 64 on the 14 th June 1898 at her home address at 32 Yardie Buckie. Her death was registered by her Daughter Margaret and her death was caused by Chronic Nephritis and General Dropsy.

Their son George Murray later married Helen Garden, the daughter of George Garden and Jeannie Simpson. The couple had a son who followed the long line of George Murrays. His father George Murray pre-deceased his wife Helen Garden when he died aged 57 years of a Cerebral Haemorrhage at his home address 2 Blantyre Street, Ianstown Buckie on 23 rd February 1920. His brother in law, George Garden of 6 Seafield Street, Buckie registered his death.

His widow Helen Garden died on 14 th September 1932 at her home in 6 Blantyre Terrace, Ianstown, Buckie from Syncope, Gastritis, and Myocarditis with her son George Murray registering her death. It is possible that this latest George Murray is also deceased but his children, presuming he had children, will still be living around the Buckie area.

Another boat, George Buie’s, in this vicinity had a startling escape. Nearing the harbour the boat lost her helm, when, turning round, William Geddes “Bozen”, laid hold of an old one which was lying in the bottom of the boat, leaned over the gunwhale, and steering with it as well as he could, in the direction of Portgordon, the boat actually reached that port, a distance of nearly a couple of miles westward, and was carried up the west side, where assistance was immediately rendered, and, by the praiseworthy exertions of those on shore, boat and crew were safely hauled round to the harbour.

Of the twenty nine boats out they are accounted for as follows;- Seven landed at Craigenroan; one at the mouth of the Burn of Rathven, eleven at the “Sauters”, three at the Neuk; three at the harbour; one at the mouth of the burn of Gollachy; one was lost at the Neuk as above described.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 22 Another boat, the “Pink”, however, which we have not yet noticed, was the cause of great alarm and excitement. Night arrived, and it was still amissing, and no intelligence was got respecting it until Wednesday, when news was received that it had gone ashore at Nairn, or rather a little to the west of the port. Not a soul was on board this boat when it was found lying much damaged upon the shore. The men’s chests were also found at different points scattered along the beach in the same vicinity. Nothing is known, of course, as the exact circumstances under which the crew had perished, although it is probable that, as in the case of the others, the boat had swamped near the shore. None of the bodies of this crew, however, have been found up to Saturday last. It is, of course to be understood that the men, from being so far up the Firth, had been trying to make for Cromarty.

The Portgordon boat Pink was found in bits along the shore line at Nairn, there was no sign of any of the crew whose bodies were never recovered from the sea.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 23 Pink The remains of the Pink found having been wrecked ashore near Nairn. None of its crew were ever recovered despite extensive searches being carried out.

Name Age M/S Parents Regd. By

1. Alexander Stuart 48 M John Stuart (Dec) Body Not Found George Stuart ‘Skipper’ Helen Reid Brother

2. James Coull 19 S Peter Coull Body Not Found Peter Coull ‘Dumpie’ Mary Smith Father

3. John Stuart 19 S George Stuart Body Not Found George Stewart ‘Lordie’ Isabella Reid Father

4. Alexander Geddes 35 M William Geddes (Dec) Body Not Found Peter Geddes ‘Sewty’ Elizabeth Edward (Dec) Nephew

5. John Hay Snr. 51 M James Hay (Dec) Body Not Found Alexander Hay Ann Geddes (Dec) Brother

6. James Hay 25 M John Hay (Dec) Body Not Found Alexander Hay Margaret Bruce Uncle

7. John Hay Jnr 17 M John Hay (Dec) Body Not Found Alexander Hay Margaret Bruce

We shall follow the lives of the crewmen as much as we can to give a picture of the men and the families they left behind. Sometimes this task is fairly straightforward, at other times the vagaries of the time sometimes hinder any searching. Some of our ancestors were less than scrupulous when dealing with the registration of their children. I think that sometimes they may have thought that they had better things to do in ensuring their children survived in the difficulties of the times they were born – rather than worry too much about getting the details down on paper.

John Hay and his two sons James and John Junior died together on the Pink. In common with many of the fishing boats it was family members or relatives who made up the crews of individual boats. The familial ties held them together in life and in death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 24 1. Alexander Stuart ‘Skipper’ 48 was born 25 th September 1808 the fourth child of John Stuart and Helen Reid , they had been married on 9 th May 1801 at Rathven and had the following family. John Stuart (the name fluctuated with its spelling) had died before his son Alexander was lost at sea. His wife Helen died 24 th March 1865 aged 86 years; she was the daughter of James Reid and Margaret Farquhar. Her son Peter Stewart registered her death.

Margaret Stewart Born 17 th January 1802. Elspet Stewart Born 12 th August 1804 James Stewart Born 27 th July 1806 Alexander Stewart Born 25 th September 1808 perished on 23 rd November 1857 John Stewart Born 8 th June 1811 Peter Stewart Alexander Stewart had married Janet Thain the daughter of Alexander Thain and Janet Reid.

The family of Alexander Stewart ‘Skipper’ at the census in 1851

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 4 Schedule: 14. Address: 14 Nether Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Stewart Alexander Head M M 43 White Fisher Stewart Janet Wife M F 37 Stewart John Son U M 14 White-fisher Stewart Margaret Daur F 10 Scholar Stewart Alexander Son M 8 Scholar Stewart Helen Daur F 6 Scholar Thain Ketty Servant U F 20 Servant

His widow Janet Thain died on 2 nd July 1888 at her home 83 Main Street, Buckie; She was 77 years of age. Her son John Stewart registered her birth. John Stewart had been born in 1838 and was the first born son of Alexander and his wife Janet, he married on 26 th November 1859 at Buckie at the Established Church of Scotland, he was 21 years of age and was a fisherman. He married Margaret Coull also aged 21 and of Nether Buckie, she was the daughter of William Coull and Margaret Reid. The minister James Crichton officiated at the ceremony and the witnesses were John Stewart and George Coull. Their son George Stewart was born on 31 st October 1868 at Nether Buckie, his father John Stewart registered the birth. This grandson of Alexander Stewart - George Stewart got married on the 14 th September 1900 when he was 29 years of age and at 83 Main Street Buckie, he was married after banns of the Church of Scotland at 5 Bowie Lane Buckie the home of his bride, a widow, Jane Stewart also

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 25 aged 29 and the daughter of Charles Stewart and Catherine Clark. The minister was Robert Galbraith and witnesses were John Stewart and John Grant. The next event in the lives of the descendants of the family of Alexander Stewart was the death of Margaret Stewart wife of John Stewart, she died on 7 th March 1913 at 88 Main Street, Buckie, she was 72 years of age and her death was registered by her son George Stewart of 66 Main Street, Buckie. The husband of Margaret Stewart and son of Alexander Stewart followed when he died on 6 th August 1925 at Seafield Cottage, Buckie with his usual residence at 14 Lennox Place Portgordon. He was 86 years of age. His daughter in law Jane Stewart of 66 Main Street, Buckie registered his death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 26 2. James Coull ‘Dumpie’ 19 Son of Peter Coull ‘Dumpie’ and Mary Smith who married on 21 st October 1837 had the following children. Peter Coull was the son of Peter Coull ‘Dumpie’ and Margaret Reid and was born in 1811. Mary Smith was the daughter of James Smith and Margaret Flett. Peter Coull died on 10 th September 1880 aged 69 years with his son Peter Coull ‘Dumpie’ registering his death. Mary Coull died on 15 th January 1897 at 129 Main Street, Buckie; her death was registered by her daughter Margaret Geddes of Seaview Road, Buckie. They had the following family. James Coull born December 1837 – lost at sea 23 rd November 1857 Peter Coull Born 1840 Margaret Coull Born 1844 William Coull Born 1846 John Coull Born 1850 Mary Coull Born 1855 died 6 th February 1857.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 11 Schedule: 41 Address: 41 Nether Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Coull Peter Head M M 39 White fisher Coull Mary Wife M F 38 Coull James Son U M 13 Scholar Coull Peter Son M 10 Scholar Coull Margaret Daur F 8 Scholar Coull William Son M 4 Coull John Son M 1 Coull Janet Servant U F 21 Servant

James Coull’s younger sister Margaret married James Hay the son of George Hay and Ann Thomson on 30 th September 1865 at Buckie at the Free Church of Scotland, she was 21 years of age at the time, the same age as her husband James , the minister was Robert Shanks and the witnesses were Peter Coull and James Hay. The young couple had only been married three and a half short years when James Hay was lost at sea in the Moray Firth between Helmsdale and Buckie on 28 th February 1869 along with seven of his crew mates when their fishing boat the Preshome was lost with all hands.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 27 Margaret Coull remarried on 17 th January 1880 at Buckie under the forms of the United Presbyterian Church. She was aged 33 years at that date. She married James Geddes, a 34 years old widower, son of James Geddes (Deceased) and Margaret Innes. The Rev John Cook presided with William Coull and Margaret Geddes as the witnesses.

Margaret Coull died on 2 nd February 1924 at 18 Seaview Road, Buckie aged 79 years. Her husband James Geddes had pre-deceased her. Her son William Geddes registered her death.

John Coull was 7 years old when his older brother James was lost at sea. The first trace I found of him was his second marriage to Jessie Cowie a 28 years old widow. He was 33 years of age, a fisherman living in Nether Buckie. Jessie Cowie was living at the Seatown Buckie and was the 28 years old daughter (and a widow) of John Cowie and Janet Cowie. The couple were married at Buckie after banns according to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, they were married by Alexander Miller the Free Church minister of Buckie with William Reaich and John Black being the witnesses.

John Coull died on 23 June 1923 at his home at 129 Main Street Buckie; his son Peter Coull registered his death.

Peter Coull was 16 when his big brother died at sea. Peter went on to marry Hellen Stewart at the Established Church of Scotland in Buckie on 18 th January 1867. Hellen Stewart was the daughter of Alexander Stewart and Janet Thain, The reverend James Mack officiated with John Stewart and Peter Coull as the witnesses. At the time Peter was 34 years old and Hellen was 20 years.

3. John Stuart ‘Lordie’ 19 years; was born c1837 the eldest and first born son of George Stuart and Isabella Reid. George Stuart was the son of John Stuart and Helen Reid who had married on 9 th May 1801 at Rathven. Isabella Reid was the daughter of James Reid and Isabella Sinclair who had married 13 th October 1809. Isabella had been born 27 th September 1815 at Rathven The 1851 census record for the family of George and Isabella Stewart who resided at 81 Nether Buckie.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 21 Schedule: 85 Address: 81 Nether Buckie

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Stewart George Head M M 35 White Fisher Stewart Isabella Wife M F 35 Stewart John Son U M 14 White fisher Stewart James Son U M 12 Stewart William Son M 9 Stewart George Son M 2 Stewart Isabella Daur F 5m

George Stewart died on 30 th May 1890 when he was lost overboard 3 ½ miles off Buckie, he was on the helm at the time. His body was never recovered. His death was registered by a neighbour John Bowie. At the time of his death George was resident at 1 Seaview Road, Buckie and he was aged 74 years. His wife Isabella died aged 81 years at home 1 Seaview Road, Buckie on 1 st April 1895. Her neighbour John Bowie of 2 Seaview Road Buckie registered her death.

I have concentrated on John’s sibling William Stewart who was born in 1842 to try and trace descendants of the family. William Stewart married when he was 28 years old, he married on 5th November 1869 at Buckie after banns according to the Free Church of Scotland, his wife

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 29 Mary Coull was the daughter of Peter Coull and Margaret Jappy. She was also aged 28 years. The minister Robert Shanks officiated with John Stewart and John Sinclair being the witnesses.

Mary Coull died aged 54 years on 15 th March 1891 at 22 Seaview Road, Buckie from Pneumonia, her husband William Stewart registered her death.

William Stewart remarried on 21 st October 1891 at 1 Seaview Road, Buckie under the Free Church of Scotland. He was aged 45 years. He married 29 years old Margaret Kinnaird daughter of Alexander Kinnaird and Isabella Mayne. The minister Alexander Miller conducted the ceremony with John Stewart and George Sutherland as witnesses. William Stewart died on 9 th November 1920 at 18 Land Street, Buckie, he was 76 years old. His step-son William Campbell of 25 Land Street, Buckie registered his death.

4. Alexander Geddes ‘Sewty’ was the 35 years son of William Geddes (Deceased) and Elizabeth Edward (Deceased). His parents had married on 16 th April 1820 at Rathven. Alexander had been born on 18 th December 1822. He had the following siblings;- William Geddes Born 31 st December 1820 at Rathven. Janet Geddes Born 21 st April 1827 at Rathven

On 17 th October 1847 Alexander Geddes married Jane Thain the daughter of James Thain and Janet Anderson; Jane was born on 30 th July 1826. The young couple had three children Margaret Geddes was born in 1848 and Alexander born in 1854 and Jane whose family are noted below. The 1851 census record sees the family at 31 Nether Buckie.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 9 Schedule: 31 Address: 31 Nether Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Geddes Alexander Head M M 28 White Fisher Geddes Jane Wife M F 23 Geddes Margaret Daur F 3 Geddes Margaret Servant U F 20 Servant

His widow Jane died on 27 February 1915 at her home in 4 Commerce Street, Buckie aged 88 years. Her death was registered by her son-in-law Peter Taylor.

Peter Taylor was the son of Alexander Taylor and Jane Geddes and was born on 14 th June 1859 at Portgordon. He married Jane Geddes on 18 th November 1887 at Gollachy Village after banns according to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Peter Taylor was resident at the Square Portgordon and Jane at Buckpool; both of their fathers were deceased. The Ceremony was conducted by John E Lewis with the witnesses Alexander Forbes and Peter Sudding.

Jane Taylor died on 31 st October 1933 at 33 Gordon Street, Portgordon; her death was registered by her son John Taylor. Her husband Peter died on 15 th January 1946 at the same address. He was aged 86 years. His death was registered by his son Alexander Taylor.

The son named Alexander Geddes after his father, who was born in 1854, was just three years old when his father was lost at sea. He married on 18 th January 1878 at Buckie under the Banns of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland when he was aged 23 to Margaret Cowie also 23 years of age and the daughter of Alexander Cowie and Margaret Murray. They were married by the minister of the Free Church of Scotland Rev. Alexander Miller with James Thain and John Murray as witnesses.

Margaret Geddes died aged 40 years on 25 th November 1895 at her home at 104 Main Street, Buckpool; the cause of death was Puerperal Eclampsia. Her brother in law James Geddes of 35 Great Western Road, Buckie registered her death.

Alexander Geddes remarried on 31 st December 1897 at The Hall, Portgordon after banns according to the Free Church of Scotland. He was 41 years of age and residing at 104 Main Street, Buckpool. He married Jessie Geddes aged 25 of 1 Duke Street, Portgordon who was the daughter of Alexander Geddes and Margaret Thain. The Free Church minister of Enzie Reverend Archibald Kerr officiated at the ceremony with witness Peter Taylor and William Geddes being the witnesses.

Alexander Geddes died on 25 th March 1942 at 104 Main Street, Buckpool with his death being registered by his son Alexander Geddes of 14 Anton Road, Buckie registering his death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 32 5. John Hay Snr. 51 years, son of James Hay and Ann Geddes who had married on 18 th October 1798 at Rathven. John Hay married Margaret Bruce the daughter of James Bruce and Margaret Hay on 27 th February 1831. 6. James Hay 25 years son of John Hay (Deceased) and Margaret Bruce

7. John Hay Jnr 17 years son of John Hay (Deceased) and Margaret Bruce The family were all together in their home in Nether Buckie in 1851 when the census was taken.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 32 Schedule: 135 Address: Nether Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Hay John Head M M 48 White Fisher Hay Margaret Wife M F 41 Hay James Son U M 20 White Fisher Hay Ann Daur U F 13 Hay John Son U M 11 White Fisher Hay Alexander Son M 9 Hay George Son M 6 Hay Margaret Daur F 2

What a severe blow it must have been to Margaret Hay, she had lost her husband and two eldest boys in one severe and cruel storm. What devastation it wreaked on the family, she was left to pick up the remnants of her family and had no choice but to struggle on without the support of her husband John and suffering the loss of her two eldest sons. It is almost impossible to comprehend the grief, sorrow and heartache the woman must have gone through.

John Hay died along with his two eldest sons, James and John who were like him White-fishers. Margaret Hay m.s. Bruce died on 19 th December 1886 at 6 Sutherland Street, Buckie. Her son George Hay registered her death. Alexander Hay, who was aged 15 when he lost his father and two elder brothers, was married to Mary Reid, he was aged 22 and she aged 23, they were married on 26 th November 1864 at Buckie in a Church of Scotland ceremony by the Reverend John Webster, Mary Reid was the daughter of John Reid and Mary Cowie m.s. Thomson, witnesses at the ceremony were William Cowie and Peter Hay. Alexander Hay died aged 69 years on 8 th July 1912 of heart failure in his home at 2 Hay Street, Buckie; his nephew John Hay of 9 James Street, Buckie registered his death.

This is the vicinity where the second unnamed Portgordon boat was lost, on the left at the top of the map it shows Logie Head, to the west of that lies Cullen Bay and the village of Cullen. Like many other boats in this day of severe winds and mountainous waves, the men out in the boats were at the mercy of the sea. Their skills were somewhat negated when they were left with nothing to use their fine honed skills on, no steerage, no sails, no control, they went where the wind and sea took them and had little they could do to change that direction.

Portgordon Boat

Name Age M/S Parents Regd. By

1. Alexander Reid 46 M James Reid (Dec) James Reid ‘Brave’ Ann Reid Son

2. Peter Coull 55 M Peter Coull (Dec) James Coull ‘Skipper’ Isabella Thain Brother

3. James Coull 29 M Peter Coull (Dec) James Coull ‘Skipper’ Margaret Clark Uncle

4. John Reid 44 M James Reid (Dec) James Coull Ann Reid (Dec) Neighbour

5. James Cowie 54 M James Cowie (Dec) John Geddes Mary Jappy (Dec) Neighbour

6. John Coull 45 M William Coull (Dec) Alexander Coull Jane Reid (Dec) Brother in Law

7. James Cowie Jnr 19 U James Cowie (Dec) John Geddes Margaret Reid Neighbour 8. Alexander Geddes 16 U William Geddes John Geddes Mary Cowie Cousin

The 1851 census record for Alexander Reid and his wife Janet shows as follows.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 14 Schedule: 53 Address: 53 Nether Buckie Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Reid Alexander Head M M 39 White fisher Reid Janet Wife M F 39 Murray Helen Servant U F 23

From the information above it looks as if the couple had no family which would allow the tracing of their descendants. This is the only census record I could find for the name Alexander Geddes of that age group in that location.

I shall have to content myself with that unless further information comes forward which would give some sort of indication that there were family members following on. I could not even find any family for James Reid and Ann Reid. It is possible that they did not register the births of their children. It was a fairly common occurrence prior to 1855 when it became a statutory obligation to provide details of births, marriages and deaths to the local registrar.

He married Margaret Clark the daughter of William Clark and Ann Smith on 17 th January 1826. She died aged 80 years on 4 th November 1881 at Portgordon. Her son Peter Coull registered her death. Quite by accident while researching another fatality from the same boat, I found Peter Coull who was the eldest son of Peter Coull and his wife Margaret Clark.

The family as they were at the 1851 census

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 5 Schedule: 15 Address: 15 Nether Buckie

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Coull Peter Head M M 50 White Fisher Coull Margaret Wife M F 47 Coull Peter Son U M 31 White Fisher Coull Jane Daur W F 28 Coull Elspet Daur U F 26 Coull John Son U M 20 White Fisher Coull Mary Daur U F 15 Coull Alexander Jappy Grandson M 4m

Their son James, who also perished on the same day as his father, had already left the family home and was married to Margaret Reid.

Peter Coull the elder brother of James Coull died on 19 th August 1919 at 10 Hope Street, Portgordon he was 77 years of age and the widower of Helen Fraser. His nephew Alexander Garden of Seaview Portgordon registered his uncles’ death.

Helen Coull had pre-deceased her husband on 11 th January 1917 at 5 High Street West, Portgordon; she was 72 years of age and the daughter of Thomas Fraser and Margaret Bruce. Alexander Garden who is listed as a neighbour of Seaview Portgordon registered the death.

He had married Margaret Reid on 21 st October 1847 at Rathven and their son Peter was born in 1850.

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 9 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Enzie Folio: 123 Page: 29 Schedule: 107 Address: Mid Street, Portgordon

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Coull James Head M M 22 White Fisher Coull Margaret Wife M F 21 Coull Peter Son M 1 Coull Margaret Servant F 10 General Servant

The first place I checked for descendants was the 1861 census record for the family. This came up with

This shows Mary Coull with her 3 sons, Peter aged 11, William aged 9 and James aged 7. Mary has used the shortened version of Margaret on this record but I am fairly certain it is Margaret Reid – Coull.

On 11 th June 1875 at Gollachy Village and according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland, William Coull aged 21 (according to the census he would be 23), the son of James Coull and Margaret Reid (on this certificate the word Mary was initially given as the first name of his mother but scored through and Margaret substituted), he married Margaret Innes the daughter of William Innes and Ann Coull, the minister was Charles William Barclay with witnesses being William Innes and George Innes.

James Coull married on 6 th October 1882 at Portgordon according to the forms of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was aged 25 years (which is much different from the census record!) and a fisherman, his parents were listed as James Coull and Margaret Reid, it was noted that the father was not marked as “(deceased)” as normal. He married 21 years old Helen Geddes the daughter of Peter Geddes and Mary Riach. At the time of their marriage the young groom was staying at Gollachy village and the Bride at Port Gordon. The minister was James W Clucas with witnesses William Geddes and Peter Coull.

On 10 th October 1884 at Port Gordon, his brother Peter Coull was married according to the rites of the Free Church of Scotland. He was given as aged 25 (which again disagrees with the census record of 1861!). His parents were James Coull (again he was not “(deceased)” on the paperwork and Margaret Reid. He was resident at Gollachy Village. He married 19 years old Margaret Innes of Port Gordon, the daughter of James Innes and Catherine Farquhar with the witnesses being John Farquhar and Alexander Coull.

On 15 th December 1911 at Portgordon according to the forms of the United Free Church of Scotland, William Coull aged 27 of 135 Main Street Buckpool and son of William Coull and Maggie Murray married Isabella Coull aged 26 of 9 Richmond Place, Portgordon and the daughter of William Coull and Margaret Innes. The minister was Archibald Kerr and the witnesses were George Coull and Nellie Bruce.

On 21 st February 1929 at 9 Richmond Place, Port Gordon William Coull died aged 76 years (which more or less agrees with the age given at the 1861 census) his neighbour Charles (or James) R Mitchell registered his death. His wife Margaret Innes was still alive at the time of her husband’s death.

On 20 th November 1930 at 8 Richmond Place, Port Gordon, James Coull died aged 74 years (again this is more accurate with regard to the census record of 1861) His son William James Coull registered his father’s death.

On 18 th February 1945 Helen Coull daughter of Peter Geddes and Mary Reiach died aged 83 years at Richmond Place Portgordon, her son William James Coull registered her death

Unfortunately I have not managed to find out anything else about John Reid who is presumably the brother of Alexander Reid ‘Brave’ who is two years older and given as the son of James Reid and Ann Reid. Without further information on him it is impossible at the moment to take any of his descendants forward. I am hopeful that anyone reading this may be able to provide some other information which will enable me to take his family further. If anyone has further information which would assist I would ask them to get in touch via the Buckie Fishing Heritage Museum. I will take it from there and if possible will include the information in future prints of this episode.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 39 5. James Cowie 54 was born on 23 rd November 1803 the son of James Cowie and Mary Jappy. He married Margaret Reid the daughter of Alexander Reid and Ann Sinclair. She had been born circa 1814. 6. James Cowie Jnr.19 was born 1841 the son of James Cowie and Margaret Reid

I first looked at the 1841 census record for the family as I anticipated that some of the family may have married and moved home given that James and his wife Margaret would have been married some time before the 1841 census record being taken.

Piece: SCT1841/152 Place: Enzie -Banffshire Enumeration District: 1 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Enzie QS Folio: 1 Page: 2 Address: Portgordon. Surname First Name Sex Age Occupation Cowie James M 35 Whitefisher Cowie Margaret F 30 Cowie Ann F 17 Cowie Jannet F 13 Cowie Mary F 11 Cowie Margaret F 9 Cowie Hellen F 5 Cowie James M 1

The differences between the two census reports tell their own story. The ages for the parents in the 1841 census record are not terribly accurate. It should be remembered that some census enumerators were instructed to round down the ages to the nearest number with either a five or a zero in there. This appears to work for the adults above but not the children.

It seems that Margaret Reid’s mother has died between the censuses records being taken and that her father has moved in with his daughter and son in law.

It also appears that Ann Cowie has married a man called Clark and their daughter Helen Clark is in evidence at her grand-parents home during the 1851 census record. Ann was 17 when the 1840 record was taken. I have traced a marriage of Margaret Cowie who married John Geddes c 1852, their son George Geddes was born 18 Dec 1853. John Geddes was the son of William Geddes and Mary Cowie. John Geddes was lost at sea off Burghead along with 3 companions when their open boat capsized in bad weather on 19 th February 1865. This is dealt with in another sad tale which has yet to be published.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 40 I think that Jannet Cowie (known as Jean) may have married another George Geddes with their son also called George being born 19 th November 1870 although he is unlikely to have registered his grandmothers death some 11 years later.

Mary had also married in the period between the censuses. On 25 th March 1854 she had married James Murray at Rathven. She died on 26 th December 1867 at Buckie from Angina. Her death was registered by her brother in law James Murray.

It is difficult to select one member to take the family forward a generation or two as there are no male members of the family surviving after the disaster. The females of the family have taken different names on marriage and that makes it just a bit more difficult to trace the lineage of the family.

The 1851 census record shows Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 9 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Enzie Folio: 123 Page: 23 Schedule: 86 Address: Mid Street, Portgordon

Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occ Cowie James Head M M 49 White-fisher Cowie Margaret Wife M F 51 Cowie Jannet Daur U F 25 General Servant Cowie Hellen Daur F 12 Cowie James Son M 10 Scholar Reid Alexander F In Law W 80 Clark Hellen Grdaur F 1

Both James Cowie and his son James Cowie perished together on that fateful day. His wife Margaret was left to look after her remaining family. By 1861 all of the family had gone leaving Margaret Cowie living alone at her home at 99 Portgordon, she is 60 years of age and a fisherman’s widow.

Margaret Cowie died on 25 January 1881 in Portgordon, she was 67 years of age, and her death was registered by her grandson George Geddes who was the son of John Geddes and Margaret Cowie the daughter.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 41 George Geddes had married on 11 th December 1879 at Port Gordon after banns according to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was 24 at the time; his wife was Ann Grigor aged 20 the daughter of John Grigor and Margaret Geddes, the minister was W H Coradine and witnesses were James Geddes and George Humphry. I can find no trace of the death of either George Geddes or Ann Grigor and it is possible that they moved out of Scotland after 1881 when George registered his grandmother’s death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 42 7. John Coull. 45 was the son of William Coull and Jane Reid. Jane Coull was born circa 1796 and was the daughter of Peter Reid and Jane Geddes, she died just months before her son John perished at sea in the Storm of 23 rd November 1857. She was the widow of William Coull and was 63 years of age when she died at Portgordon on 26 th April 1857, she is buried in Rathven Cemetery and her death was registered by her son Peter Coull

The 1851 census record for John Coull and his family is as follows;-

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 4 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 123 Page: 18 Schedule: 69 Address: Geddies Court Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Coull John Head M M 40 Fisherman Coull Hellen Wife M F 46 Coull Jane Daur F 14 Coull William Son M 12 Coull John Son M 6

William Coull the son of John Coull and Hellen Murray was married on 27 th February 1864 at Buckie Chapel after banns according to the Church of Scotland. He was 22 years of age, his bride was Catherine Findlay the 23 years old daughter of James Findlay and Helen Geddes previously McKenzie. The minister John Webster of Buckie officiated with John Sutherland and Andrew Findlay the witnesses.

Andrew Coull was born on 21 st August 1880 at Jamaica Street, Peterhead, son of William Coull and Catherine Findlay. His father registered his birth at Peterhead and at Rathven. William Coull died on 11 th February 1902 at 1 John Street, Buckie; he was 60 years of age according to the certificate and his son in law George Geddes of Sea View Road, Buckie registered his death.

His son Andrew Coull had married aged 25 on 28 th December 1906 at Buckie after banns according to the Church of Scotland. He was staying at 1 John Street at that time. He married Nellie Cowie the 24 years old daughter of William Cowie and Ann Findlay. The minister John Anderson officiated with Annie Geddes and William Cowie the witnesses. Catherine Findlay died on 20 th August 1910 at 1 John Street, Buckie aged 69 years. Her son Andrew Coull registered his mother’s death.

© John Crawford The Storm of 23 rd November 1857 43 8. Alexander Geddes was born 28 th February 1841 the youngest son of William Geddes and Mary Cowie. Their family was as follows;- i. George Geddes Born 6 th November 1825 ii. John Geddes Born 6 th November 1825 iii. William Geddes Born 7 th March 1827 iv. George Geddes Born 6 th February 1831 v. Helen Geddes Born 8 th January 1834 vi. Mary Geddes Born 3 rd November 1837 vii. Alexander Geddes Born 28 th February 1841 died 23 rd November 1857. viii. James Geddes Born 1843 He died aged just 16 years. He was in all respects a man like his father and brothers, doing the job he was born to, a fisherman ploughing the deep for the fish. His mother and father were to follow shortly to their own graves, no doubt assisted by the early death of their second youngest child.

The 1851 Census record for the family shows;-

Piece: SCT1851/164 Place: Rathven -Banffshire Enumeration District: 9 Civil Parish: Rathven Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Enzie Folio: 123 Page: 23 Schedule: 84 Address: Mid Street, Portgordon Surname First Name Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Geddes William Head M M 51 Whitefisher Geddes Mary Wife M F 49 Geddes Hellen Daur U F 19 Herring Net weaver Geddes Mary Daur U F 17 Geddes Alexander Son M 12 Geddes James Son M 8

Mary Cowie soon followed her son as she died less than six months after her second youngest son Alexander on 13 th April 1858 at Portgordon, her parents George Cowie and Helen Jappy were both deceased at the time of her death which was registered by George Murray her brother in Law. James Geddes the youngest son of the family was married on 27 th September 1866 at Portgordon at a Church of Scotland ceremony. He was 22 years of age at the time and a Seaman, both his parents were deceased at the time of the wedding. His wife was Jane Thomson who was the 18 years old daughter of John Thomson a Seaman in the Merchant Service and Jane Geddes. The minister C H Barclay officiated with witnesses being Peter Coull and John Coull.

On a day of tragedy when so many lives were lost the story of the death of Peter Geddes is perhaps the most tragic and poignant. Using his skills and seamanship he had managed to get his boat and crew of three out of the tumultuous seas and to the relative safety of shore. Peter Geddes was the skipper of a four man crew where were probably out in a Scaffie, they made it ashore but when crossing a swollen torrent of a burn once ashore he was lost and swept out to sea. Apparently the men were making their way homewards along the shore, en route they had to negotiate a ‘bridge’ over the fast flowing Tynet Burn. The bridge was nothing but a narrow plank of wood. One of the young men in his crew could not face crossing the burn by the plank so chose to wade across the swollen torrent. As he was crossing by that method the skipper Peter Geddes made his way carefully across the narrow plank of wood. He was almost across when the young man shouted for help, he could neither go backwards or forwards and was standing in the deep water in great danger of being swept away. Peter Geddes reached out to help the young man and over balanced into the torrent. He was swiftly swept out to sea before anyone could assist him and was lost. The fortunate young man managed to scramble the remainder of the burn by himself and reached safety. The sad loss of a brave man, he sacrificed own life for that of another..

Peter Geddes 48 M Alexander Geddes (Dec) William Cowie ‘Knapsy’ Margaret Stuart Neighbour

Peter Geddes was the ninth man to have perished from the small village of Portgordon that fateful day. A number of their boats were out that day, two managed to get into the harbour at Portgordon, another, the fishing boat “Bell” managed to reach safety at the Sauters near Buckie. In all nine fishermen from the village of Portgordon perished leaving 7 widows, and 23 children behind. Most of the fishermen in Portgordon were members of the Fishermen’s Society in fact only about ten in the village were NOT members of the society, sadly that included all eight men lost at Logie Head.

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