Steve - thanks for the information regarding the Alert.  I was aware of this
article, but I had forgotten all about the letter from William Nicol to his wife
Helen which adds a bit of flesh to the disaster, and which I will consider
using. Many thanks.  Alison


________________________________

From: Stephen Hutchison
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 7 February, 2010 13:13:29
Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead

I have a copy of a document, a single page, source unknown, with a farewell
letter from William Nicol to his wife Helen, and a memorial to William. My
cousin found it among papers belonging to his father (who was also a
seaman).
It is typeset, so presumably came from a published book or pamphlet, and
it's very touching.
Here is the text:
“Alert”, 1st June 1861.
My Dear Helen,
I write you these few lines to let you know in what state I penned these few
lines. I was taken badly with rheumatism in the fall of the last year, and I
recovered, but, in a short time after, about the New Year, it again
relapsed, and up to this time I have been bedfast, and I feel that I am
getting very rapidly worse, which is the reason of me writing this letter to
let you know in what state this leaves me. I do not expect to survive many
days from this date. But, my dear, dear Helen, give your heart entirely unto
the Lord, and then I shall expect to see you in Heaven; for I have tried as
much as I could, since I have been afflicted, to walk in all His statutes
and commandments, for I have found peace with God, and am this moment
relying on His mercy, so I shall expect to meet you in Heaven; and my dear,
darling children-Matthew, William (,) Francis, and the other of which I know
not the name, as far as your ability goes, bring them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord, so that they may not wander so long as we have done
“Strangers to His saving grace.” Oh! my darling, darling Helen - the only
woman ever I have loved on earth, the dear and faithful partner of my bosom.
I now bid you goodbye; so farewell for a time, and I shall expect to meet
you in Heaven. God bless you and protect you, and may He, in your
experience, prove a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless. So
farewell! My darling Wife and Children. I am too weak now to say any more;
so farewell! My dear, darling, faithful partner. I shall meet you in Heaven.
Good-bye! - From your affectionate Husband,
WILLIAM NICOL,
With a Sore Heart.

In Memory of WILLIAM NICOL Late Seaman on Board the "Alert" who died on
shore, JULY 31 1861, AGED 28 YEARS.

Farewell! for all my sufferings are,
And all my sorrows gone;
I go to live upon the shore
Where Christ shall be my home.    [Item provided by Mary Barnes.]
(See William Penny article)

Dear Fiona,
Have just read your e-mail about the "Alert". My gGrandfather James Taylor
was the Mate during that terrible voyage,the passage home being his first
command. He was lost with all hands in the Bristol channel in the barque
"Nerbudda"of London in a great storm 1886.
You will find reference to this in the Peterhead Sentinel. My ggGrandfather
George Simpson was a well known whaling master,mainly in command of the
"Traveller" and three sons also became whaling masters, John the eldest
being master of the "Union"involved in the "Alert" story.
Hope this proves of some interest.
Best wishes in your project, Malcolm Simpson.

There is more in "The Aberdeen Journal" (from the "Sentinel") 9 Oct 1861
............... Captain Mr Forbes MILNE (didn't hold a ticket!).  BARNETT &
MITCHELL were pitched out of the boat when it was upset by a whale and not
seen again July 27th 1860.  A harrowing story about how the men were
mistreated by the captain ie. not rationed properly.  The names of the dead
men:
John MITCHELL, New Deer 27 Jul 1860
William BURNETT, Strichen 27 Jul 1860
John WALKER, Peterhead 11 Nov 1860
John M'KENZIE, Portknockie 13 Dec 1860
William M'KENZIE, Peterhead 24 Apr 1861
Peter CAMBELL, Sutherlandshire 30 May
Alex PICKARD, Longside 3 Jun
Robert MILNE, carpenter, Peterhead 25 Jun
William NICOL, Peterhead 31 Jul
It is reported that she wintered about 20 miles equi-distant from Niatlik
and New Boyen stations and was preparing to head home 23 Aug 1861.
Casalguidi

Regards Steve


________________________________

On 7 February 2010 11:28, Alison Kennedy

>
>
> The Peterhead list has been a bit quiet lately so I'm hoping that there may
> be someone still out there who may be able to assist me.
>
> As part of a University course which I am currently undertaking I need to
> write dissertation, of approx 8,000 words, before the end of April 2010.
> The subject which I would like to write about, if I can gather enough
> information, is the loss at sea, by death or drowning, of either seamen or
> fishermen, singularly or crews of boats, who came from Peterhead or the
> surrounding area (north as far as St Fergus, west as far as Longside, and as
> far south as Cruden).
>
> I'm thinking of a timescale, probably of 10 years, sometime within the 19th
> century, but, until I see how much information I can acquire, I haven't
> decided yet made a final decision on which decade that this will be.
>
> If anyone has any information which they think may be able to assist then I
> would be grateful if they could contact me - either through the Peterhead
> list (where others may see your connection) or off-line.  Often these
> deaths were not officially registered and if the only information which you
> have is a name and approx date and from Peterhead area then that's fine -
> I'll see if I can do the donkey work of researching the death if necessary.
>
> Many thanks to all in advance.
>
> Alison
>

Hi Alison,
Maybe you are aware of the following story from 1861, as follows.

Died on Kekerton Island, Cumberland Strait while wintering ashore,
harpoonist on a whaling vessel.

The Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, October 9, 1861

THE "ALERT" OF PETERHEAD - SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW - The Sentinel says that a
number of rumours are flying about town with reference to the conduct at the
ice of Mr Forbes Milne, the nominal captain of the vessel - charges of
cruelty, &c, being flatly and broadly brought against him, with what amount
of authority or truthfulness it is impossible for us to say. However, the
greater part of the complications in the melancholy matter seem to have
arisen from the fact of his having been placed on board of the vessel as
actual and practical Captain, while he neither appeared in the books of the
Custom House in that capacity, nor possessed a certificate entitling him to
hold that office. With regard to the charges brought against Mr Milne by the
crew, we forbear alluding to them until the matter be properly and fully
investigated by the authorities. The Alert left Peterhead for the Straits on
the 18th May, 1860, and sighted the ice on June 8. On July 27, a boat was
capsized following a fish, and two of the crew, Burnett and Mitchell, were
never seen after being pitched out of the boat. On August 12, five boats
chased and kept in a number of white whales on a shoal till the tide
receded. 111 of them were killed. On October 25, a number of the men were
ill, and only a boat's crew out of the whole ship's company were able to
"flinch" a fish that was caught, which could not be done for a few days in
consequence of the severity of the weather. On November 3, the Alert bore up
for home with a northerly wind, but after several endeavours, could not get
out of the Gulf. On the 25th she was driven up into a bay about 20 miles
equi-distant from Niatlik and New Boyes stations. At this place she
wintered. Serious misunderstandings are said to have taken place between Mr
Milne and the crew on the score of provisions &c. Between the 11th November,
1860, and 31st July 1861, other eight men died. Fuel ran short, and proper
food, even when it could be had, could not be properly cooked. Sometimes a
couple of days' allowance of beef would be served out, and then for some
weeks no more would be allowed. The crew had little or any sugar (so
essential in these regions) for the whole of this time. The bread got done,
and flour and Indian meal (got from the American ships) was served out as
food; but in consequence of the scarcity of fuel, it could not be rendered
properly available. For some time a number of the crew left the ship,
existing by what they could get at the stations and from other ships. Seals
flesh, whale skins, blubber, &c., had to be eaten on board the ship. Mr
Milne, however, remained all along in the vessel - for some time alone, with
the exception of a couple of boys, the rest of the crew being taken away by
Captain Simpson of the "Union," and Mr Thompson, manager of the Aberdeen
Artic Company at Kickarton, as they were all dangerously ill at the time.
The most deaths occurred in the commencement of the thaw, the cases being
scurvy, exhaustion, and exposure to the weather - none of the crew being
prepared with the necessary clothing or anything else for an Artic winter.
On the 23d August of this year, when the "Alert" was preparing to proceed
home, on the representation of the crew, and investigation into the
differences between Mr Milne and them was held on board the "Artic" of
Aberdeen - Captain Reid of the "Artic," Captain Simpson of the "Union," and
Captain Mackinnon of the "Alibi," acting as judges in the matter. The result
of their deliberations was that they decided on displacing Mr Forbes Milne
from his post as Captain, filling his place by Mr Taylor the mate. Mr
Robertson of the "Alibi" was then obtained to act as mate. Matters now went
on more smoothly, and a full supply of provisions having been obtained from
the depots of the Aberdeen Artic Company, the vessel bore up for home
immediately, and arrived here on Tuesday forenoon (as stated in our last).
The names of the men dead are - John Mitchell, New Deer, and William
Bennett, Strichen, drowned by the upsetting of a boat, 27th July 1860; John
Walker, Peterhead, 11th November 1860; John McKenzie, Portknockie, 13th
December 1860; William McKenzie, Peterhead, 24th April 1861; Peter Campbell,
Sutherlandshire, 30th May; Alex. Pickard, Longside, 3d June; Robert Milne,
carpenter, Peterhead, 25th June; William Nicol, Peterhead, 31st July. The
"Alert" brings intelligence of the loss of the "Union" of this port. She
sank at her station in the month of May, but her cargo, amounting to some 25
or 30 tons of oil, and her casks, do, have been saved. Her men were living
at their station-houses, and were all saved.
William Nicol, was among those who died on that expedition, and it's great
to have some
more information. William died of rheumatism and scurvy at Kekerten Island
in the Cumberland Sound. His death was entered in the Marine Register and
later transcribed into the Peterhead register.

It would seem that the Alert had not planned to spend the winter in the
Arctic, which might explain the lack of appropriate clothing and adequate
provisions. If John Walker was the Ship Master, how did it come about that
Forbes Milne is described as "nominal captain" and later in the article as
"actual and practical captain". I note that John Walker died on 11November
1860, and, except for the two who drowned when a boat capsized, all the
other deaths came after that. I wonder if Forbes Milne took over command of
the vessel after the death of John Walker? There was a Forbes Milne born in
Peterhead in 1830. Could this be the one? If so, he was the brother of
William Nicol's wife Helen.

Kekerten Island is referred to in the article as "Kickarton". It was the
location of a Scottish whaling station in the 1850s and 1860s. The site is
now part of a Canadian Historic Site and National Park. There is a photo of
the whaling station at:
http://www.pangnirtunghotel.com/pangnirtung-hikes-cumberland-sound.htm


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Malcolm

Thanks very much for your suggestion - agree that this sounds like a good idea
and will check article out asap.

Alison



________________________________
From: Malcolm Simpson
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 7 February, 2010 13:53:36
Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead

�
Hi Alison,
Suggest you have a look at the Peterhead Sentinel dated 31st.January 1862.There
you will find the statistics of the Northern Fisheries showing all the whaling
vessels from Peterhead from 1804 to 1861.Looking down the lists you will find
all the vessels which were lost.This should give you a good starting point.
Good luck in your quest.Malcolm Simpson.

---- Alison Kennedy wrote:

> The Peterhead list has been a bit quiet lately so I'm hoping that there may be
someone still out there who may be able to assist me.
>
> As part of a University course which I am currently undertaking I need to
write dissertation, of approx 8,000 words, before the end of April 2010.� The
subject which I would like to write about, if I can gather enough information,
is the loss at sea, by death or drowning,�of either seamen or fishermen,
singularly or crews of boats, who came from Peterhead or the surrounding area
(north as far as St Fergus, west as far as Longside, and as far south as
Cruden).
>
> I'm thinking of a timescale, probably of 10 years, sometime within the 19th
century, but, until I see how much information I can acquire,�I haven't decided
yet made a final decision on which decade that this will be.
>
> If anyone has any information which they think may be able to assist then I
would be grateful if they could contact me - either through the Peterhead list
(where others may see your connection) or off-line.�� Often these deaths were
not officially registered and if the only information which you have is a name
and approx date and from Peterhead area then that's fine - I'll see if I can do
the donkey work of researching the death if necessary.
>
> Many thanks to all�in advance.
>
> Alison
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Mary

Thanks very much for taking the time to forward the article.  I have done some
background work already but sometimes events took place which didn't hit the
weekly newspapers possibly due to lack of space or because the event was old
news by the time of the next edition.  It's also very difficult to read the
close print in the old newspapers and I thought someone might have
some information which I had missed or give me some pointers of where else to
look.

Regards.

Alison


________________________________
From: Mary Barnes
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 7 February, 2010 22:42:15
Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead

Hi Alison,

You might also be interested in the following, from the East Aberdeenshire
Observer of Friday May 11, 1877:

Melancholy Boat Accident — Three Lives Lost — A melancholy boat accident,
resulting in the loss of three lives, occurred on Monday afternoon.  The
arrival of one or two vessels at Peterhead were expected that day, and in order
to get an earlier view of them as they approached from the South, Matthew Nicol,
pilot; William Duncan, seaman; and John Suttar Strachan, son of Geo. Strachan,
master of the steam tug Pride o’ Scotland, proceeded in a boat to Boddam. 
Having remained there for a short time and taken refreshments they again went to
sea to pilot any vessel to the harbour which might require their services. 
They were never again seen alive, and in the evening a Burnhaven crew who had
been at the haddock fishing found the boat, in which the unfortunate men had
sailed, lying on its broadside and the occupants nowhere to be seen.  The boat
was towed into Boddam.  It is supposed that it had been upset by a sudden
squall as when found the sail
  was set and the sheet fast.  Several boats have since been out in the vicinity
where it is supposed that the boat has been swamped, but none of the bodies have
yet been seen, and there can be no doubt that the tide has carried them
southwards.
Matthew Nicol, who was 66 years of age, leaves a wife and nine of a family, most
of whom are grown up.  He was a native of Berwick, but for many years was
master and part owner of several trading vessels, and latterly he owned a
herring curing establishment in Peterhead. William Duncan, who was 58 years of
age, was a seaman, and for many years sailed in the schooner Jane of Peterhead.
He leaves a wife and four of a family.  Strachan used to sail with his father,
but on Monday he chanced to stop on shore and by accident accompanied Nicol and
Duncan into the boat to Boddam. Much sympathy is felt for the relations of the
drowned men.

There is also a report of the same incident in the Peterhead Sentinel of
Wednesday May 9 1877, which includes the additional information: "it is thought
that it [the capsize] took place about 150 yards from the Skerrie”.

I suggest that you pick a decade, and go through the back issues of the local
newspapers and see what you can find. I'm sure you will get plenty of material.
Good luck with the project.

Mary Barnes

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In Peterhead@yahoogroups.com, Alison Kennedy <alison2kennedy@...> wrote:
>
> The Peterhead list has been a bit quiet lately so I'm hoping that there may be
someone still out there who may be able to assist me.
>
> As part of a University course which I am currently undertaking I need to
write dissertation, of approx 8,000 words, before the end of April 2010.� The
subject which I would like to write about, if I can gather enough information,
is the loss at sea, by death or drowning,�of either seamen or fishermen,
singularly or crews of boats, who came from Peterhead or the surrounding area
(north as far as St Fergus, west as far as Longside, and as far south as
Cruden).
>
> I'm thinking of a timescale, probably of 10 years, sometime within the 19th
century, but, until I see how much information I can acquire,�I haven't decided
yet made a final decision on which decade that this will be.
>
> If anyone has any information which they think may be able to assist then I
would be grateful if they could contact me - either through the Peterhead list
(where others may see your connection) or off-line.�� Often these deaths were
not officially registered and if the only information which you have is a name
and approx date and from Peterhead area then that's fine - I'll see if I can do
the donkey work of researching the death if necessary.
>
> Many thanks to all�in advance.
>
> Alison
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Hello Alison,

I don't know if this is the kind of thing you are looking for but I have never
been able to find the death of a George Simpson Murray of Peterhead. He was a
seaman and I assume whaler.

See my original post - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Peterhead/message/4879

His wife had a child in 1866 so I have to assume he died 1865/1866.

Regards,
Annette

Alison,

I have the extracts from both the Peterhead Sentinel and Buchan Observer
of 1876 about the death at sea of Andrew Cow from Burnhaven -

Margie

>

I have seen some email on this and to the best of my knowledge the
website is not currently being published - thus, for the time being you
click in vain - and that's not really meant to be funny, simply to let
you know that the site will probably remain offline for the immediate
future.



From: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Peterhead@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of garden217@...
Sent: 07 February 2010 15:13
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Peterhead] assistance!!





Hello group members, Ihope that all is well with you.
I have tried to get into the " Peterhead Genealogy" but juts get told
page does not respond, does any member know what the current status is?



===============================
CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION

The information contained in this message is privileged, confidential, and
protected from disclosure.
This message is intended for the individual or entity addressed herein.
If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose
this communication to others.
Also please notify the sender by replying to this message, and then delete it
from your system.
The sender totally disclaims, and will not accept, any responsibility or
liability for the unauthorized use,
or the consequences of any unauthorized use, of this communication or message.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Not sure if this would be of any interest Alison, but one of my relatives Edward
Angus was lost at sea, aged 24, on a voyage to New Zealand in 1867. Edward was
Second Officer on the Warwick and was swept overboard on 22nd March 1867. His
name is shown on a family tombstone in St Peters Kirkyard.



Regards,



Roy





From: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Peterhead@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Alison Kennedy
Sent: 07 February 2010 11:29
To: Peterhead Genealogy
Subject: [Peterhead] Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead





The Peterhead list has been a bit quiet lately so I'm hoping that there may be
someone still out there who may be able to assist me.

As part of a University course which I am currently undertaking I need to write
dissertation, of approx 8,000 words, before the end of April 2010.  The subject
which I would like to write about, if I can gather enough information, is the
loss at sea, by death or drowning, of either seamen or fishermen, singularly or
crews of boats, who came from Peterhead or the surrounding area (north as far as
St Fergus, west as far as Longside, and as far south as Cruden).

I'm thinking of a timescale, probably of 10 years, sometime within the 19th
century, but, until I see how much information I can acquire, I haven't decided
yet made a final decision on which decade that this will be.

If anyone has any information which they think may be able to assist then I
would be grateful if they could contact me - either through the Peterhead list
(where others may see your connection) or off-line.   Often these deaths were
not officially registered and if the only information which you have is a name
and approx date and from Peterhead area then that's fine - I'll see if I can do
the donkey work of researching the death if necessary.

Many thanks to all in advance.

Alison

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



===============================
CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION

The information contained in this message is privileged, confidential, and
protected from disclosure.
This message is intended for the individual or entity addressed herein.
If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose
this communication to others.
Also please notify the sender by replying to this message, and then delete it
from your system.
The sender totally disclaims, and will not accept, any responsibility or
liability for the unauthorized use,
or the consequences of any unauthorized use, of this communication or message.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello Folks;
My brother just sent me this UTube video from a cousin in Peterhead.
It shows some of our ancestors at work in Peterhead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfkk8bSuyM
Regards
William

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Margie
   To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 7:51 AM
   Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead





   Alison,

   I have the extracts from both the Peterhead Sentinel and Buchan Observer
   of 1876 about the death at sea of Andrew Cow from Burnhaven -

   Margie

   >





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Roy, thank you for your reply regarding the current status of "Peterhead
Genealogy" website.

Best wishes
James....

Hi Alison
I have a relative, William Boyd, master and commander of the Brig "Mary Grey" 
who was drowned in the Hooghly River near Calcutta in 1842. This might be
outside your guidlines, but if you would like more details please get in touch.
Cheers
Margaret

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You speak of William Nicol and his wife Helen(Milne)
They were my ggreat uncle and aunt. It broke my heart to read the letter that he
sent to Helen. What great love he had for his family. I would love, more than
anything, to have a copy of the letter. Or I should say a copy of the written
document. I, almost, wanted to sit here and have a good cry. It truly touched
me. Thank you so much for putting it on the Peterhead group.
Regard,
DeLories
JDVon2@...

Re: Losses of Seamen and Fishermen from Peterhead

     Posted by:      "Stephen Hutchison"

       sjhutchison@...


           sjhutchison1



       Sun Feb 7, 2010 5:13 am        (PST)





       Hi Alison,

Maybe you are aware of the following story from 1861, as follows.



Died on Kekerton Island, Cumberland Strait while wintering ashore,

harpoonist on a whaling vessel.



The Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, October 9, 1861



THE "ALERT" OF PETERHEAD - SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW - The Sentinel says
that a

number of rumours are flying about town with reference to the conduct at
  the

ice of Mr Forbes Milne, the nominal captain of the vessel - charges of

cruelty, &c, being flatly and broadly brought against him, with what
  amount

of authority or truthfulness it is impossible for us to say. However,
the

greater part of the complications in the melancholy matter seem to have

arisen from the fact of his having been placed on board of the vessel as

actual and practical Captain, while he neither appeared in the books of
the

Custom House in that capacity, nor possessed a certificate entitling him
  to

hold that office. With regard to the charges brought against Mr Milne by
  the

crew, we forbear alluding to them until the matter be properly and fully

investigated by the authorities. The Alert left Peterhead for the
Straits on

the 18th May, 1860, and sighted the ice on June 8. On July 27, a boat
was

capsized following a fish, and two of the crew, Burnett and Mitchell,
were

never seen after being pitched out of the boat. On August 12, five boats

chased and kept in a number of white whales on a shoal till the tide

receded. 111 of them were killed. On October 25, a number of the men
were

ill, and only a boat's crew out of the whole ship's company were able to

"flinch" a fish that was caught, which could not be done for a few days
in

consequence of the severity of the weather. On November 3, the Alert
bore up

for home with a northerly wind, but after several endeavours, could not
get

out of the Gulf. On the 25th she was driven up into a bay about 20 miles

equi-distant from Niatlik and New Boyes stations. At this place she

wintered. Serious misunderstandings are said to have taken place between
  Mr

Milne and the crew on the score of provisions &c. Between the 11th
November,

1860, and 31st July 1861, other eight men died. Fuel ran short, and
proper

food, even when it could be had, could not be properly cooked. Sometimes
  a

couple of days' allowance of beef would be served out, and then for some

weeks no more would be allowed. The crew had little or any sugar (so

essential in these regions) for the whole of this time. The bread got
done,

and flour and Indian meal (got from the American ships) was served out
as

food; but in consequence of the scarcity of fuel, it could not be
rendered

properly available. For some time a number of the crew left the ship,

existing by what they could get at the stations and from other ships.
Seals

flesh, whale skins, blubber, &c., had to be eaten on board the ship.
  Mr

Milne, however, remained all along in the vessel - for some time alone,
with

the exception of a couple of boys, the rest of the crew being taken away
  by

Captain Simpson of the "Union," and Mr Thompson, manager of the Aberdeen

Artic Company at Kickarton, as they were all dangerously ill at the
time.

The most deaths occurred in the commencement of the thaw, the cases
being

scurvy, exhaustion, and exposure to the weather - none of the crew being

prepared with the necessary clothing or anything else for an Artic
winter.

On the 23d August of this year, when the "Alert" was preparing to
proceed

home, on the representation of the crew, and investigation into the

differences between Mr Milne and them was held on board the "Artic" of

Aberdeen - Captain Reid of the "Artic," Captain Simpson of the "Union,"
and

Captain Mackinnon of the "Alibi," acting as judges in the matter. The
result

of their deliberations was that they decided on displacing Mr Forbes
Milne

from his post as Captain, filling his place by Mr Taylor the mate. Mr

Robertson of the "Alibi" was then obtained to act as mate. Matters now
went

on more smoothly, and a full supply of provisions having been obtained
from

the depots of the Aberdeen Artic Company, the vessel bore up for home

immediately, and arrived here on Tuesday forenoon (as stated in our
last).

The names of the men dead are - John Mitchell, New Deer, and William

Bennett, Strichen, drowned by the upsetting of a boat, 27th July 1860;
John

Walker, Peterhead, 11th November 1860; John McKenzie, Portknockie, 13th

December 1860; William McKenzie, Peterhead, 24th April 1861; Peter
Campbell,

Sutherlandshire, 30th May; Alex. Pickard, Longside, 3d June; Robert
Milne,

carpenter, Peterhead, 25th June; William Nicol, Peterhead, 31st July.
The

"Alert" brings intelligence of the loss of the "Union" of this port. She

sank at her station in the month of May, but her cargo, amounting to
some 25

or 30 tons of oil, and her casks, do, have been saved. Her men were
living

at their station-houses, and were all saved.

William Nicol, was among those who died on that expedition, and it's
great

to have some

more information. William died of rheumatism and scurvy at Kekerten
Island

in the Cumberland Sound. His death was entered in the Marine Register
and

later transcribed into the Peterhead register.



It would seem that the Alert had not planned to spend the winter in the

Arctic, which might explain the lack of appropriate clothing and
adequate

provisions. If John Walker was the Ship Master, how did it come about
that

Forbes Milne is described as "nominal captain" and later in the article
as

"actual and practical captain". I note that John Walker died on
11November

1860, and, except for the two who drowned when a boat capsized, all the

other deaths came after that. I wonder if Forbes Milne took over command
  of

the vessel after the death of John Walker? There was a Forbes Milne born
  in

Peterhead in 1830. Could this be the one? If so, he was the brother of

William Nicol's wife Helen.



Kekerten Island is referred to in the article as "Kickarton". It was the

location of a Scottish whaling station in the 1850s and 1860s. The site
is

now part of a Canadian Historic Site and National Park. There is a photo
  of

the whaling station at:

http://www.pangnirtunghotel.com/pangnirtung-hikes-cumberland-sound.htm

I have a copy of a document, a single page, source unknown, with a
farewell

letter from William Nicol to his wife Helen, and a memorial to William.
My

cousin found it among papers belonging to his father (who was also a

seaman).

It is typeset, so presumably came from a published book or pamphlet, and

it's very touching.

Here is the text:

�Alert�, 1st June 1861.

My Dear Helen,

I write you these few lines to let you know in what state I penned these
  few

lines. I was taken badly with rheumatism in the fall of the last year,
and I

recovered, but, in a short time after, about the New Year, it again

relapsed, and up to this time I have been bedfast, and I feel that I am

getting very rapidly worse, which is the reason of me writing this
letter to

let you know in what state this leaves me. I do not expect to survive
many

days from this date. But, my dear, dear Helen, give your heart entirely
unto

the Lord, and then I shall expect to see you in Heaven; for I have tried
  as

much as I could, since I have been afflicted, to walk in all His
statutes

and commandments, for I have found peace with God, and am this moment

relying on His mercy, so I shall expect to meet you in Heaven; and my
dear,

darling children-Matthew, William (,) Francis, and the other of which I
know

not the name, as far as your ability goes, bring them up in the nurture
and

admonition of the Lord, so that they may not wander so long as we have
done

�Strangers to His saving grace.� Oh! my darling, darling Helen - the
only

woman ever I have loved on earth, the dear and faithful partner of my
bosom.

I now bid you goodbye; so farewell for a time, and I shall expect to
meet

you in Heaven. God bless you and protect you, and may He, in your

experience, prove a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless.
  So

farewell! My darling Wife and Children. I am too weak now to say any
more;

so farewell! My dear, darling, faithful partner. I shall meet you in
Heaven.

Good-bye! - From your affectionate Husband,

WILLIAM NICOL,

With a Sore Heart.


In Memory of WILLIAM NICOL Late Seaman on Board the "Alert" who died on


shore, JULY 31 1861, AGED 28 YEARS.


Farewell! for all my sufferings are,


And all my sorrows gone;

I go to live upon the shore

Where Christ shall be my home.    [Item provided by Mary Barnes.]

(See William Penny article)

Email from malcolm.simpson@...
  to fiona.riddell@...

Dear Fiona,

Have just read your e-mail about the "Alert". My gGrandfather James
Taylor

was the Mate during that terrible voyage,the passage home being his
first

command. He was lost with all hands in the Bristol channel in the barque

"Nerbudda"of London in a great storm 1886.

You will find reference to this in the Peterhead Sentinel. My
ggGrandfather

George Simpson was a well known whaling master,mainly in command of the

"Traveller" and three sons also became whaling masters, John the eldest

being master of the "Union"involved in the "Alert" story.

Hope this proves of some interest.

Best wishes in your project, Malcolm Simpson.



There is more in "The Aberdeen Journal" (from the "Sentinel") 9 Oct 1861

............... Captain Mr Forbes MILNE (didn't hold a ticket!).
BARNETT &

MITCHELL were pitched out of the boat when it was upset by a whale and
not

seen again July 27th 1860.  A harrowing story about how the men were

mistreated by the captain ie. not rationed properly.  The names of the
dead

men:

John MITCHELL, New Deer 27 Jul 1860

William BURNETT, Strichen 27 Jul 1860

John WALKER, Peterhead 11 Nov 1860

John M'KENZIE, Portknockie 13 Dec 1860

William M'KENZIE, Peterhead 24 Apr 1861

Peter CAMBELL, Sutherlandshire 30 May

Alex PICKARD, Longside 3 Jun

Robert MILNE, carpenter, Peterhead 25 Jun

William NICOL, Peterhead 31 Jul

It is reported that she wintered about 20 miles equi-distant from
Niatlik

and New Boyen stations and was preparing to head home 23 Aug 1861.

Casalguidi



Regards Steve


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Alison,

Although this book does not have that many names it does have a short chapter on
Peterhead Whalers that describes life at sea and how the town of Peterhead coped
with men at sea.

The book is "The Great Days of Sail Reminiscences of a Tea-Clipper Captain" by
Andrew Shewan.  Andrew was himself a sailor, the captain referred to in the
title.

Regarding selecting a time frame for your study, this book says:

"Though Aberdeen had declined, in 1860 Peterhead was at its height as a whaling
port.  In that year thirty-two vessels left for Greenland, all sailing-ships,
and the largest number, I believe, that ever left on one occasion.  Thereafter
they quickly diminished, until by the seventies there were only two or three
left." (p. 102)

Best,

Diane

Also not sure if this really fits the study, but my great great
grandfather William Gordon died as a result of being crushed on the
slip at Montrose when he went to see a boat he and his brother in law
owned being serviced. This ship was the Nellie, but I don't know if
it was involved in the accident - he was crushed between two ships
when one slipped off the slips, and died of pneumonia back in
Peterhead on 24 November 1864.

The loss of life at sea and in associated accidents must have been
quite terrible. I have been told by a friend who is in his early 70s
that when he went to Peterhead for a holiday in the early 1950s, the
front three rows of the Brethren meeting on the Sunday morning were
widows in black. In the family (not related to me) with whom I have
stayed twice, the father and brother of the husband had both been
lost at sea - one was swept overboard, not sure of the other.

Best wishes for your study,
Elisabeth

Elisabeth Wilson
Lenah Valley, Tasmania
researching GORDON (Peterhead) GIBB (Peterhead) YOUNG (Slains/Cruden)
SPENCE(Peterhead) PAUL (Peterhead?) MURRISON (Peterhead) CRAIG
(Strichen) DAVIDSON (Strichen)

For Alison :

Below is a list of some Peterhead shipmasters who either died at sea or
in a foreign port. This may or may not be of assistance to you depending
on the theme of your dissertation. Hope it helps������.Alex Ritchie



WILLIAM ALLAN

Born :  November 13th.1845, son of William Allan & Helen Wallace

Died :  At sea on October 27th.1893 (Aged 48) (Death Certificate :
023/MR Entry 937)

             Vessels :

Nova Zembla of Dundee (Served as Mate)  1893

ALEXANDER BROWN

Died :  Drowned at sea on December 1st.1838 (Aged 43)  (M.I. Cruden)

ROBERT FERGUS BRUCE

Born : December 3rd.1834, son of William Bruce (Surgeon) & Jane ???

Died :  August 21st.1873 of remittent fever (Captain of the
S.S.Ejequibo) (Buchan Observer Sept.19th.1873)

    WILLIAM BRUCE

Born :  c1830, son of Donald Bruce & Isabella Thomson

Died  :  Died on the �Mazinthien� June 8th.1875 (Aged 49). (Death
Certificate : 020/MR (34))

WILLIAM CHRISTIE

Born  :  November 19th.1805, son of Alexander Christie (Shipmaster) &
Margaret Brodie

Died  :  December 7th.1828, Master of the Peterhead Brig �Vigilant� lost
with all hands, and buried

                                                              In Castle
Firke churchyard, County of Ross, Ireland

JAMES CLARK

Born : c1801

Died : July 26th.1847 at Greenland

WILLIAM CORDINER

Born : 1844

Died : June 10th.1881 at Sea (washed overboard) (Death Certificate :
021/MR(245))

            (Schooner �Blue & White� of Dumfries)  (8/64 �Blue & White�)

WILLIAM CORMACK

Born :  c1777

Died  :  At Sea in 1805 (Aged 28)  (M.I. Old Cemetery)

DAVID COWAN

Born :  c1814, son of Adam Cowan & Ann Russel (They married Oct.8th.1810
in Peterhead)

Died  :  Archangel on November 16th.1853 (Aged 39) (M.I. Constitution
St. Cemetery)

              (Will : Feb.8th.1854)

JOHN CRUICKSHANK

Born : c1821

Died : July 27th.1881 at Sea of Apoplexy (Master of the �Gleam� of
Peterhead)  (Residence : Prince Street)

WILLIAM WILSON CRUICKSHANK

Born : c1846 in Macduff, son of William Cruickshank & Margaret McDonald

Died : August 25th.1890 at Sea in the Baltic (Drowned � Vessel Missing)
(Death Cert. : 022/MR (487))

             (Master of the Schooner �Renown�)

JAMES DAVIDSON

Born : c1838

Died : October 6th.1876 (Aged 39) on the "Xanthus" at Cumberland Sound
of Inflammation

                                                              (Death
Certificate : 020/MR (171))

WILLIAM DAVIDSON

Died : 1823 (Aged 57) at Sea

ALEXANDER GEARY  Jnr.

Alexander Geary, son of Alexander Geary Snr.,  died on board the
�Dexterity� of Peterhead returning from Greenland in August 1819 aged 26

JOHN GODSMAN

Born  :  c1810

Died :  On the vessel �Rose� in Peterhead Harbour

Buried  :  May 8th.1842 (Aged 32) in Lair E285 (Old Cemetery)

JAMES GRANT

Died  :  December 1842 at Sea (Aged 31)  (M.I. Old Cemetery, Peterhead)

JOHN GRAY

Died on board his ship, the �Eclipse�, at the David Straits.

Born  :  February 1806 (South Shields), son of David Gray I & Lilias
Cowan

JAMES HOGG

Died in the North Harbour on January 10th.1849  during a storm.

Born :  c1809

Died  :  January 10th.1849 (Age 40))

JAMES ANDERSON IRVINE

Born : c1852, son of ???????? & Margaret Irvine

Died : January 25th.1890 � Isle of Wight (1st.Mate of �Ibex� - Drowned)
(Death Cert. : 022/MR (411))

ALEXANDER KEITH

Alexander Keith was mate on he �Syrian� when he died (complications from
a broken leg) in Adelaide, South Australia in 1877

Born : c1823

(Death Certificate : 021MR/ (2)

WILLIAM GREIG KING

Born : 1827, son of Alexander King (Watchmaker) & Janet Gray

Died :  December 29th.1878 (Aged 51)  at Sea. (Washed Overboard when
master of the vessel �Lady
Cecilia Hay�)

Notes : also lost Charles Wemyss (Mate) aged 42

JAMES LAW

James Law who died suddenly off Cape Horn on October 9th.1856 aged 49
years.

Born :  c1807

JAMES LOWRIE

Lost when his ship, the whaler �Hannibal� of Peterhead went down.

Born :  c1795


Died :   February 1st.1848 (about)

JOHN MACKIE (Roanheads)

Died :  October 5th.1853 at Sea

Vessels :

Master (Age 48) of DUBLIN of Peterhead  (1851 Crew Lists) - whaler

THOMAS MACKIE

Thomas Mackie, master of the �Union� of Peterhead died in Greenland. His
body was taken home and buried in the Old Cemetery.

Born :  c1784, son of Thomas Mackie

Died :  May 10th.1831 at Greenland (In his 48th. Year) (M.I. Old
Cemetery)

WILLIAM MACKIE

Born : c1819

Died : October 14th.1881 at sea, master of the vessel �JANE� of
Peterhead (No.45127)

                            (Death Certificate : 021MR  (281))

Notes :  Vessel lost. Other crew members lost were James Cow (41) Mate,
James Mrshall (24) Seaman, Michael Kelly (25) Seaman.

WILLIAM MACKIE

Born : c1840, son of George Mackie (Seaman) & Ann Mackie

Died  : Oct.27th.1887 (Age 48) off Cape of Good Hope, 3 days out of
Durban (Java fever). Buried at Sea

ALEXANDER MACKINNON

Died of cholera in Pernan, Russia when in command of the barque
�Estelle�(58884)

Born : c1836, son of Lachlan McKinnon (seaman) & Susan Hutton

Died :  August 3rd.1871 in Pernan, Russia (Schooner �Estelle�)

JOHN MARTIN   (Certificate of Competency : c 19748 Aberdeen 1861)

Died in his sleep on a homeward journey from Cronstadt, in command of
the �Annie� of Peterhead.

Born :  c1831, son of John Martin (Shipmaster) & Margaret Watt

Died :  At Sea on August 17th.1871

JOHN MARTIN Jnr.

Born : May 23rd.1808, son of John Martin (Shipmaster) & Jean Buchan

Died :  June or July 13th.1845 in the West Indies (M.I. Old Cemetery)

THOMAS MATHIESON

�Schooner �Robert� (Mathewson) of Peterhead was capsized in a heavy
squall off

   Ystadt on 22nd.ult. when all hands, except one of the crew named James
Wilcox of Peterhead

   Went down with the vessel. She was loaded with coals from Sunderland.�



(Aberdeen Journal : 12/7/1848)

Born :  c1799

ALEXANDER MATHEW

Born : c1830

Died : May 16th.1876 at Sea (Master of the �Theseus�) (Death Certificate
: 020/MR (143))

WILLIAM MAY

Born : c1830, son of John May (Fisherman) & Jane Stephen

Died : April 18th.1878 at Sea on the "Lanarkshire" on passage between
Rangoon & Bombay (Aged 47)

              Of Heart Disease (Death Certificate : 021/MR (29))

JAMES MILNE

Born :  August 13th.1843, son of Robert Milne (Shipmaster) & Elizabeth
Bruce

Died : March 26th.1893 � Penang, Straits Settlement (Vessel :
�Ebenezer�)

JAMES MINTO

James Minto, master of the �Joseph Green�, died in the Davis Straits in
June 1844 aged 48 years and was interred at Frudsland ??.

Born :  c1796

ALEXANDER MORRISON   (or MURRISON)

Lost when his vessel �Walker� of Peterhead was lost off the Northumbrian
coast. It was on it�s way from Peterhead to Newcastle with a cargo of
oats when it was driven ashore (bottom up) at Holy Island.  All the crew
perished.  They all belonged to Peterhead and were George Sells (mate),
Alexander Duff and Robert Stell.

Born : 1842, son of Thomas Morrison (Shoemaker) & Elizabeth Walker

Died : December 8th.1874  at Sea (M.I. Constitution St. Cemetery)

WILLIAM MURISON

Born : 1842, son of James Murrison (Stone Quarrier) (50 in 1851) &
Margaret Murrison (51 in 1851) (Ugie Street ) ?

Died : September 30th.1873 (Aged 31) at Hamburg (Ship : �DART�)

GEORGE NAPIER      (Certificate of Competency : c13012 Glasgow 1864)

Captain of the �City of Hankow� (George Smith & Sons, Glasgow) drowned
215 miles from Ascension Island.  He was the son of Mr.John Napier, Fish
Curer.

Born : c1842, son of John Napier (Fish Curer) & Catherine Milne

Died :  June 15th.1872 (residing in Peterhead. Master of the �City of
Hankow� (Glasgow))  Drowned off Ascension Island (Aged 31).

MATTHEW NICOL     (Certificate of Service : s70330)

Matthew Nicol was a native of Berwick, but for many years was master and
part owner of several trading vessels, and latterly he owned a herring
curing establishment in Peterhead.   He died in 1877 when a pilot vessel
was upset by a sudden squall.

Born : February 25th.1811 (in North Berwick), son of  William Nicol
(Taylor) & Mary Burns

Died : May 7th.1877 (Schooner �Express�) (Death Certificate : 232/1
(70))

PETER NICOL

He commanded the �Loch Sloy� on a voyage to Adelaide in April 1899. The
vessel overran her distance and was wrecked on Kangaroo Island. He was
trying to locate the Cape Borda light, but it was obscured from view by
the cliffs between Cape Bedout and Cape Couldie and, on the morning of
April 24th., became a total loss on the Brothers Rocks. All but four
people on the vessel perished. One of the crew was Robert B.F.Birnie,
sailmaker and son of Charles Birnie (above).

Born  :  c1861, son of Peter Nicol (Sailmaker) & Jessie Gillan

WILLIAM RITCHIE

Drowned when the  �Chacabuco� of Liverpool  collided with the �Torch� of
Dublin in St.George�s Channel. Captain Ritchie commanded the �Chacabuco�
which was inward bound from San Francisco. Other Peterhead crew members
lost were George Ritchie (Captain�s nephew & second mate),  Alexander
Murray (Carpenter),  Robert Robertson (Steward).

Born :  c1823

Lost off Great Ormshead, St.George�s Channel on March 1st.1873 (Aged 50)
(M.I. Old Cemetery)

WILLIAM PENNY ROBERTSON

William P.Robertson, was drowned at sea along with his son Alexander,
Mate (Aged 21) on December 8th.1872

Born : c1824, son of Alexander Robertson (Shipmaster) & Jane Anderson

Died : Dec.8th.1872 (Aged 48)

WILLIAM ROBERTSON

Born :  c1799

Died :  June 23rd.1823 at Greenland (Aged 29) (M.I. Old Cemetery)

Master of the HOPE of Peterhead.

WILLIAM SELLAR(S)

Born : c1827, son of George Sellar (Shipmaster) & Marjory Craig.

Died :  July 1st.1866 (Aged 39)  (Will : Sept.5th.1867)  (Died at
St.Thomas , �Sir Colin Campbell�)

ALEXANDER SHEWAN

Born : c1862, son of Alexander Shewan (Shipmaster) & Elspet Emslie

Died : January 25th.1910 (Aged 48) at Sea (2nd. Mate of �Landale� �
Concussion)

            (Death Certificate : 028/MR (112)

GEORGE SIMPSON

One of Peterhead�s most successful whaling captains. He owned and died
in command of the �Industry� on her maiden voyage to the Baltic with a
cargo of herring. His son George was a crew member on this voyage. He
was buried at Stettin.

Born :  c1790

Died :  September 11th.1848 at Stettin  (M.I. St.Peter�s Cemetery,
Peterhead)

WILLIAM SOUTTAR

Born : c1834, son of Alexander Souttar (Harbour Master) (53 in 1851) &
Mary Milne (b.Cruden, 49 in 1851 (3 Park Lane)

Died :  May 10th.1899 (Aged 65) at Bo�ness Harbour (Drowning), master of
the �Jane & Isabella�

             (Death Certificate : 663/1  (47))

ALEXANDER STEPHEN

Married : Mary Alexander Duncan, daughter of Alexander Duncan & ????
Mackie

Died : July 26th.1844 (Lost at Sea) (Owner & Master of the �Rambler�)

ALEXANDER STEWART (or STUART)

(The Times of May 18th.1852 reported that the Joseph Green was lost at
Greenland on March 20th. While taking the ice during a North East gale
and that the Master and three crewmen were drowned)

Born :  c1800 in Banff

Died : Drowned at Greenland on March 19th.1852 (Aged 52)  (M.I. Old
Cemetery)

�The Rambler (Stephen) from Konigsburg to London was abandoned in a
sinking state 26th.Ult. � Crew,

  except master saved.�  (Aberdeen Journal  -  September 11th.1844)

JAMES TAYLOR

Drowned at sea when in command of the �Nerbudda� of London. It had just
sailed from Cardiff  with a cargo of coal but ws lost in a storm.
Captain Taylor was standing in for Captain Calder who was on holiday.
William King, also from Peterhead, was carpenter on the �Nerbudda�.

Born :  c1828

Died :  Drowned at Sea October 15th.1886 (Aged 58) (M.I. Constitution
St.Cemetery)

ROBERT TAYLOR

Died :   January 14th.1834 (Aged 33) at Port-Au-Prince

ALEXANDER DOULL VOLUM

Son of William Volum Senior. Lost with twelve crew members off the
Waratah.

Born : May 9th.1810, son of  William Volum & Christian Youngson

Died :  February 25th. 1848. Drowned off Ushant from the �Waratah�

ROBERT VOLUM

Son of William Volum Senior, washed overboard from the �Agostina� on a
passage from Launceston to London in 1851.

Born :  April 18th.1815, son of  William Volum & Christian Youngson

Died  :  February 25th.1851. Lost at sea from the �Agostina� on passage
from Launceston to London

JOHN WEIR

Born : c1840 in Port Gordon

Died : March 8th.1878 at Sea, Master of the �Progress� (Vessel Lost)
(Residence : 18 James Street, Phd)









[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

WILLIAM ALLAN

Born : November 13th.1845, son of William Allan & Helen Wallace

Died : At sea on October 27th.1893 (Aged 48) (Death Certificate :
023/MR Entry 937)

Vessels :

Nova Zembla of Dundee (Served as Mate) 1893

Thanks for posting this list
William Allan was the cousin of my great grandfather John Allan. I didn't have
this information.

Janet in warm sunny New Zealand

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Alex,

The Alexander Morrison on this list is the youngest son of my GGG
Grandfather, Thomas Morrison, and Elizabeth Walker.  I guess his vessel was
named after his mother�s family.

My GG Grandfather, Robert Morrison, was the next brother up, only 2 years
older.  He went on into the maritime world too, becoming an officer on the
Cunard line;  he too died at sea, but at the age of 54, while crossing the
Atlantic on the SS Epurnia.

Seamen and being lost at sea was not rare in my family � my GG Grandfather�s
eldest son, also Robert Morrison, was lost at sea in 1881.  He was an
apprentice aboard the Eurynome when it was lost at sea on 19 May 1881 - all
crew were supposed drowned.  The Eurynome was a 210 foot, 1163 ton, full
rigged ship, on a voyage from Liverpool to Australia, and arrived in
Victoria in March 1881, with 13 passengers on board.  With wheat loaded at
Melbourne and Geelong, she left for Falmouth, England, on 19 May 1881 and
was not seen again.   She is believed to have foundered at sea with all
hands lost.

I had not had these details about Alexander before, so thankyou.   If there
is anything else on this chap, or family, it would be greatly welcomed.

Regards,

Philip Morrison


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Alison

Some more information for you that might be of help -
One of my 2x grt uncles, George WATT (1824-1883) was a seaman and worked on the
whaling boats out of Peterhead. For some time he was a Spectioneer (a senior
harpooner and officer in charge of directing the cutting of the blubber from the
whale).

In 1848, whilst returning across the Atlantic on the whaler "Hannibal", under
the command of Captain Lowrie,  the ship was driven on to the coast of Norway.
Every life was lost, except for one �.. my ancestor George WATT .
I have information on George, plus some background information and newspaper
articles from the Aberdeen Herald and The Scotsman (May 1848) which give
accounts of the tragedy.

Just let me know if I can be of any help.
Regards
Viv

Everyone

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone, too many for me to thank
individually,�over the last few days, who have given me information and
suggestions following my appeal for help.

Many thanks for taking the time to share your information, some of which must
have taken some time to prepare.

I haven't had time yet to digest all the information but will endeavour to do so
over the next couple of weeks.� If I find any information on any of the seamen
or fishermen during my research, whose losses have been suggested, then I will
happily forward this information on to those involved.� I'm sure that this will
give me a huge hand with what I have in mind to write about.

Once again many, many, thanks.

Alison


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I need some help on the Cemeteries in Peterhead.
Last fall I had ordered the CD for St Peters Old Churchyard thru the Peterhead
Historical Society. For a long time I never got the CD and when it finally
arrived they sent me the wrong one. They sent Memorial Inscriptions Peterhead
Cemetery, Constitution Street. I notified them that a CD had arrived but was the
wrong one. I offered to send it back but they said to just keep it and they
would send me the correct one. That they did and I emailed them that it had
arrived and thanked them very much for being so kind. WELL, after I put the CD
in my computer it did not work. After a couple of months going thru all of this
process I was sadly disappointed. I emailed them again and told them what had
happened and would, again, be happy to return the CD and would they please send
me one that works. Now I have Vista on one computer but XP on my other and it
did NOT work on either computers. Guess what, I never heard from them again. I'm
not sure if they thought I was pulling something or what - which believe me I
was not doing anything like that.
Most of my family, as far as I know, are buried in the St Peters Old Churchyard
and I truly do want that CD.
Has anyone else had any problems with this and can you please offer me some
advise. I am so very disappointed.
Thank you for your kind consideration

  DeLories Vaughn
Washington State, USA



_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DeLories,

Please excuse a brief reply but I have just read your email on my mobile and
wanted to at least give an immediate response.

This list is monitored by several of the FHSB Committee and, on behalf of the
FHSB I would offer apologies for what appears to have been a less than
satisfactory experience for you.

The Committee will check what has gone wrong regarding your purchase and we will
ensure that any technical problems you are still having get resolved.

Once again, apologies.

Roy


________________________________

From: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com <Peterhead@yahoogroups.com>
To: peterhead@yahoogroups.com <peterhead@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu Feb 11 17:49:29 2010
Subject: [Peterhead]





I need some help on the Cemeteries in Peterhead.
Last fall I had ordered the CD for St Peters Old Churchyard thru the Peterhead
Historical Society. For a long time I never got the CD and when it finally
arrived they sent me the wrong one. They sent Memorial Inscriptions Peterhead
Cemetery, Constitution Street. I notified them that a CD had arrived but was the
wrong one. I offered to send it back but they said to just keep it and they
would send me the correct one. That they did and I emailed them that it had
arrived and thanked them very much for being so kind. WELL, after I put the CD
in my computer it did not work. After a couple of months going thru all of this
process I was sadly disappointed. I emailed them again and told them what had
happened and would, again, be happy to return the CD and would they please send
me one that works. Now I have Vista on one computer but XP on my other and it
did NOT work on either computers. Guess what, I never heard from them again. I'm
not sure if they thought I was pulling something or what - which believe me I
was not doing anything like that.
Most of my family, as far as I know, are buried in the St Peters Old Churchyard
and I truly do want that CD.
Has anyone else had any problems with this and can you please offer me some
advise. I am so very disappointed.
Thank you for your kind consideration

DeLories Vaughn
Washington State, USA


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Ian, Roy & Yahoo Groups


Thank you for you kind emails.

First let me say that I have NO anger with those at the Peterhead/Buchan
  nor the Aberdeen Society. They are all wonderful people. When we were
in Peterhead 3 years ago, I have never met such warm and wonderful
people. I almost wanted to just stay and not come back to the States.
So
  with that said, I know that they tried to get me the correct CD. It
seems that with the mess up in sending the incorrect CD(which they were
kind enough to let me have) and then they send the correct one and that
would not work at all - well I just felt so bad about it all. It must
have been a trying time for them and a bit so for me. But I had no
thoughts that they would not try to help. And indeed they tried. My
heart just sank when the CD that I truly did want would not work. I just
  feel so bad about the whole situation. I really would pay, again, for
the one that I wanted. I just thought they were tired of hearing from and wanted
to drop it all. And I don't blame them for that.

  DeLories
  (De)

  DeLories (De)




From: idr@...
To: JDVon2@...
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:15:48 -0800
Subject: Re:(no subject)
















Delores:



I am sorry you are having these challenges.



In spring �08 I meet Mary Robertson at the Aberdeen Family
History Society offices. She informed me of the research project she and
another woman from Peterhead had done. Months later I received the first
edition of those CDs for the Old Churchyard. When I posted the information on
this site I got over 3 dozen requests for copies within a month.  That,
and many other factors, resulted in the Peterhead/Buchan Family History
Society. They can be reached via http://www.fhsb.org.uk/



Should you experience problems there, try http://www.anesfhs.org.uk/. The
Aberdeen
Society is a well established organization and may be able to assist you.



To the best of my knowledge the CDs should work in ether
platform you are using. They are in MS Word.



I also understand you have had a response directly from a member
of the Buchan FHS who have been distributing the CDs.



Ian Robertson

Delta, BC

Canada

(suburb of Vancouver, site of 2010 Olympics)





Ian
Robertson

864
Pacifc Dr

Delta,BC

V4M
2K3

Tel:
604-943-3715




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm researching my Peterhead family - my gg grandfather Alexander Wilson Herd
and his father James. AW Herd's wife was Margaret Simpson (possibly also from
Peterhead). James' wife was Amelia Wilson (parents John Wilson and Isabella
Forest). Margaret Simpson's parents were George Simpson and Elizabeth Walker.

Both father and son Herd were seamen (sometimes described as Whalers) and sailed
from Peterhead and Dundee.
I've found one ship that AW was on - the "Dart" Registered on the Isle of Man on
a trip around the UK and across to the Baltic in 1881. His previous ship was the
Victor but nothing more from there. The Dart's record also list his Royal Naval
Reserve number so he was perhaps in the Royal Navy also.
Any help about any family members would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,

Iain Birnie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Iain

James Hird (or Herd) & Amelia Wilson feature loosely on our family tree through
their daughter�Margaret (Maggie) who married James Finnie (2 May 1870,�Seagate,
Peterhead) who was a brother of a direct ancestor.�� Not sure if I can give you
any information that you probably don't already have, but James was described as
a Merchant Seaman on his death on 26 November 1900, his parents being John Hird
(Seaman) & Margaret Hird ms Fraser.

Amelia (bc 1822,�Peterhead)�died shortly before James, on 2 October 1900 and is
interred in Lair C301 of St Peter's Churchyard, Peterhead (James is not buried
with her).� The informants of both Amelia's & James' deaths was their daughter
Margaret - don't know if the blow of losing both parents, so close together, was
too much, but Margaret herself died shortly after on 30 December 1900.

James & Amelia had 9 children that I am aware of - I don't have much on the
others except for Alexander's marriage; their daughter Mary b. 21 June 1855,
Peterhead married John Johnstone Wallace (son of Alexander Wallace, Shipmaster &
Margaret Johnstone) 30 September 1878, Peterhead; and also their son John died
1860, Peterhead.

Hope the above is of some assistance.

Alison



________________________________
From: Iain Birnie
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 13 February, 2010 12:52:30
Subject: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd

�
I'm researching my Peterhead family - my gg grandfather Alexander Wilson Herd
and his father James. AW Herd's wife was Margaret Simpson (possibly also from
Peterhead). James' wife was Amelia Wilson (parents John Wilson and Isabella
Forest). Margaret Simpson's parents were George Simpson and Elizabeth Walker.

Both father and son Herd were seamen (sometimes described as Whalers) and sailed
from Peterhead and Dundee.
I've found one ship that AW was on - the "Dart" Registered on the Isle of Man on
a trip around the UK and across to the Baltic in 1881. His previous ship was the
Victor but nothing more from there. The Dart's record also list his Royal Naval
Reserve number so he was perhaps in the Royal Navy also.
Any help about any family members would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,

Iain Birnie


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Iain,
You might already have this.
No relations to me.

James Herd, seaman in Peterhead
a son Alexander Wilson born 18 Aug 1844 bap 23 Aug 1844
before Alexander Beedie and John Hay

James Herd, seaman in Peterhead and Amelia Wilson his wife
a son James born 3 June 1847 bap 9 June 1847
before Alexander Beedie and Alexander Baird

James Herd, seaman in Peterhead and Amelia Wilson his wife
a daughter Margaret born 28 June 1848 bap 10 July 1848
before Alexander Beedie and Andrew Milne.

Best wishes,
Catherine






   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Iain Birnie
   To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 8:52 PM
   Subject: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd



   I'm researching my Peterhead family - my gg grandfather Alexander Wilson Herd
and his father James. AW Herd's wife was Margaret Simpson (possibly also from
Peterhead). James' wife was Amelia Wilson (parents John Wilson and Isabella
Forest). Margaret Simpson's parents were George Simpson and Elizabeth Walker.

   Both father and son Herd were seamen (sometimes described as Whalers) and
sailed from Peterhead and Dundee.
   I've found one ship that AW was on - the "Dart" Registered on the Isle of Man
on a trip around the UK and across to the Baltic in 1881. His previous ship was
the Victor but nothing more from there. The Dart's record also list his Royal
Naval Reserve number so he was perhaps in the Royal Navy also.
   Any help about any family members would be gratefully received.
   Many thanks,

   Iain Birnie

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
   Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2686 - Release Date: 02/14/10
03:35:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

For : Alison & Iain

                                     Could the John Herd mentioned in
your postings be the following Shipmaster :



JOHN HERD (c21930 Liverpool 1863)

Born : c1838 Peterhead

Vessels :

City of New York (42597)  (Mate)        1863 US

City of Limerick (Mate)                          1863

City of Baltimore (Mate)                         1863

Edinburgh (Mate)                                    1867-68

Kangaroo (Mate)                                    1865

City of Cork (Mate)                                 1865-66

City of Paris (Mate)                                  1868





-----Original Message-----
From: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Peterhead@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Alison Kennedy
Sent: 13 February 2010 18:44
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd





Iain

James Hird (or Herd) & Amelia Wilson feature loosely on our family tree
through their daughter Margaret (Maggie) who married James Finnie (2 May
1870, Seagate, Peterhead) who was a brother of a direct ancestor.   Not
sure if I can give you any information that you probably don't already
have, but James was described as a Merchant Seaman on his death on 26
November 1900, his parents being John Hird (Seaman) & Margaret Hird ms
Fraser.

Amelia (bc 1822, Peterhead) died shortly before James, on 2 October 1900
and is interred in Lair C301 of St Peter's Churchyard, Peterhead (James
is not buried with her).  The informants of both Amelia's & James'
deaths was their daughter Margaret - don't know if the blow of losing
both parents, so close together, was too much, but Margaret herself died
shortly after on 30 December 1900.

James & Amelia had 9 children that I am aware of - I don't have much on
the others except for Alexander's marriage; their daughter Mary b. 21
June 1855, Peterhead married John Johnstone Wallace (son of Alexander
Wallace, Shipmaster & Margaret Johnstone) 30 September 1878, Peterhead;
and also their son John died 1860, Peterhead.

Hope the above is of some assistance.

Alison

________________________________
From: Iain Birnie
To: Peterhead@yahoogrou <mailto:Peterhead%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com
Sent: Saturday, 13 February, 2010 12:52:30
Subject: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd


I'm researching my Peterhead family - my gg grandfather Alexander Wilson
Herd and his father James. AW Herd's wife was Margaret Simpson (possibly
also from Peterhead). James' wife was Amelia Wilson (parents John Wilson
and Isabella Forest). Margaret Simpson's parents were George Simpson and
Elizabeth Walker.

Both father and son Herd were seamen (sometimes described as Whalers)
and sailed from Peterhead and Dundee.
I've found one ship that AW was on - the "Dart" Registered on the Isle
of Man on a trip around the UK and across to the Baltic in 1881. His
previous ship was the Victor but nothing more from there. The Dart's
record also list his Royal Naval Reserve number so he was perhaps in the
Royal Navy also.
Any help about any family members would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,

Iain Birnie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

does anyone have any information about the Rollo family who lived in Auquharney
1800s-1900s ? thank you,janette.

--- On Sun, 14/2/10, alex-jean Ritchie <alex-jean.ritchie@...> wrote:


From: alex-jean Ritchie <alex-jean.ritchie@...>
Subject: RE: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd
To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, 14 February, 2010, 16:38


 



For : Alison & Iain

Could the John Herd mentioned in
your postings be the following Shipmaster :

JOHN HERD (c21930 Liverpool 1863)

Born : c1838 Peterhead

Vessels :

City of New York (42597) (Mate) 1863 US

City of Limerick (Mate) 1863

City of Baltimore (Mate) 1863

Edinburgh (Mate) 1867-68

Kangaroo (Mate) 1865

City of Cork (Mate) 1865-66

City of Paris (Mate) 1868

-----Original Message-----
From: Peterhead@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Peterhead@yahoogrou ps.com] On
Behalf Of Alison Kennedy
Sent: 13 February 2010 18:44
To: Peterhead@yahoogrou ps.com
Subject: Re: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd

Iain

James Hird (or Herd) & Amelia Wilson feature loosely on our family tree
through their daughter Margaret (Maggie) who married James Finnie (2 May
1870, Seagate, Peterhead) who was a brother of a direct ancestor. Not
sure if I can give you any information that you probably don't already
have, but James was described as a Merchant Seaman on his death on 26
November 1900, his parents being John Hird (Seaman) & Margaret Hird ms
Fraser.

Amelia (bc 1822, Peterhead) died shortly before James, on 2 October 1900
and is interred in Lair C301 of St Peter's Churchyard, Peterhead (James
is not buried with her). The informants of both Amelia's & James'
deaths was their daughter Margaret - don't know if the blow of losing
both parents, so close together, was too much, but Margaret herself died
shortly after on 30 December 1900.

James & Amelia had 9 children that I am aware of - I don't have much on
the others except for Alexander's marriage; their daughter Mary b. 21
June 1855, Peterhead married John Johnstone Wallace (son of Alexander
Wallace, Shipmaster & Margaret Johnstone) 30 September 1878, Peterhead;
and also their son John died 1860, Peterhead.

Hope the above is of some assistance.

Alison

____________ _________ _________ __
From: Iain Birnie
To: Peterhead@yahoogrou <mailto:Peterhead% 40yahoogroups. com> ps.com
Sent: Saturday, 13 February, 2010 12:52:30
Subject: [Peterhead] Alexander Wilson Herd

I'm researching my Peterhead family - my gg grandfather Alexander Wilson
Herd and his father James. AW Herd's wife was Margaret Simpson (possibly
also from Peterhead). James' wife was Amelia Wilson (parents John Wilson
and Isabella Forest). Margaret Simpson's parents were George Simpson and
Elizabeth Walker.

Both father and son Herd were seamen (sometimes described as Whalers)
and sailed from Peterhead and Dundee.
I've found one ship that AW was on - the "Dart" Registered on the Isle
of Man on a trip around the UK and across to the Baltic in 1881. His
previous ship was the Victor but nothing more from there. The Dart's
record also list his Royal Naval Reserve number so he was perhaps in the
Royal Navy also.
Any help about any family members would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,

Iain Birnie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 09/02/2010, at 2:02 PM, DeLories Vaughn wrote:

> You speak of William Nicol and his wife Helen(Milne)
> They were my ggreat uncle and aunt. It broke my heart to read the letter that
he sent to Helen. What great love he had for his family. I would love, more than
anything, to have a copy of the letter. Or I should say a copy of the written
document. I, almost, wanted to sit here and have a good cry. It truly touched
me. Thank you so much for putting it on the Peterhead group.
> Regard,
> DeLories
> JDVon2@...

Hello DeLories,

I'm curious to know just how you are related to William Nicol and Helen Milne.
Is it through the Milne side of the family or the Nicol side? If the Nicol side,
then we are distant cousins. Would you like to contact me directly at the
address below, so that we can exchange information off-list?

William Nicol was MY (half) great uncle, since my grandfather, Matthew Nicol,
was his half-brother. Matthew was 28 years younger than William. I was the
source of the printed letter, and can send you a scanned version of it, if you
would like. One of my cousins found it among his father's papers after his death
(his father was a seaman too, so the letter may have resonated with him). I have
absolutely no idea where the original handwritten document might be, if it
exists. I would imagine that it was kept by Helen - but she married again a few
years after William's death, moved to Aberdeen, had several more children, and
eventually emigrated to Cape Town, so even if it has been preserved, I doubt if
it could be traced.

Mary Barnes
marysb@...

Hi All:

I am trying to locate the death and burial records of my ggg grandfather Robert
Davidson a seaman from the Peterhead area. To the best of my knowledge and
belief, he died sometime between 1840 and 1860.

He was the father of my gg grandfather Captain Robert Davidson a Ships Master
born October 28, 1840 in Cruden. Captain Robert Davidson's marriage certificate
clearly states that on January 13, 1860 his father was a deceased Seaman named
Robert Davidson.

William E. Scheyer

Hi William,
How are you,
This is  DEATHS from Scotlandspeople 1841-1859
Best wishes,
Catherine

This is the DAY, MONTH, and YEAR

9-11-1841
Robert Davidson
other name Robt
parish Old Machar
GRO 168/80  0476

9-11-1841
Robert Davidson
other name Robert Davidson
parish Old Machar
GRO 168/80  0410

3-1-1847
Robert Davidson
parish Tough
GRO 244/00  0134

17-12-1851
Robert Davidson
other name William Davidson
parish Longside
GRO 218.00  0455

1855
Robert Davidson age 53
parish Old Machar
mothers name Milne
GRO 168/02  0326

1856
Robert Davidson age 78
parish Turriff
mothers name Harvey
GRO 247/00 0032

1856
Robert Davidson age 60
parish St Nicholas
mothers name Sherriff
GRO 168/01  0606

1856
Robert Davidson
parish Inverurie
GRO 204/00 0045

1856
Robert Davidson age 23
parish Old Machar
mothers name Anderson
GRO 168/02  0209

1859
Robert Davidson age 70
parish St Nicholas
GRO 168/01  0463











   ----- Original Message -----
   From: william_scheyer
   To: Peterhead@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 7:54 AM
   Subject: [SPAM] [Peterhead] Robert Davidson Seaman



   Hi All:

   I am trying to locate the death and burial records of my ggg grandfather
Robert Davidson a seaman from the Peterhead area. To the best of my knowledge
and belief, he died sometime between 1840 and 1860.

   He was the father of my gg grandfather Captain Robert Davidson a Ships Master
born October 28, 1840 in Cruden. Captain Robert Davidson's marriage certificate
clearly states that on January 13, 1860 his father was a deceased Seaman named
Robert Davidson.

   William E. Scheyer






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   Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2688 - Release Date: 02/15/10
03:35:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi All,
A number of us have been working out the various Davidson families in Peterhead,
and I am delighted to add some further information that might link in with
others.

I've found a record that shows that an Alexander Davidson (seaman deceased) was
a parent with Elspet Hutchison (deceased).� James Davidson's Death certificate
of 1858, Peterhead, aged 57, gave these individuals as his parents. Hopefully
these are my ancestors, but there is a lot of useful circumstantial evidence on
this.� Here goes:

My ancestor's Robert Davidson (seaman) married Helen Dunn in Peterhead 1825.
There is a census record for Robert Davidson, seaman, born 1796 Aberdeenshire,
in Longate, Peterhead.� There is a Merchant Seaman Record for Robert Davidson
born 1791. There is an OPR for Alexander Davidson, Shipmaster in Peterhead, who
had 3 children baptised, Robert (26 July 1791), Alexander and William. I don't
know if this is my Robert.

In a number of Parish Records, witnesses for the baptism of a number of Robert
Davidson and Helen Dunn's children's were Peter Dunn (Helen's brother) and James
Davidson, (presumably a relative of Robert).�� I could find no death record for
Robert, although he was still alive in 1844 for the birth of his last son
(presumably) but his wife was head of the household in 1851, and was definitely
dead in 1856 as recorded on a son's death certificate.

As I had exhausted all other routes of finding Robert's parents, I decided to
concentrate on this James.� By collecting information around this couple, I
discovered that in the 1841 census, James Davidson (born 1801) was living next
door to Helen Davidson (?sister-in-law), her 6 children, and 2 households away
from James and Janet Lawrence.�I can find no definitive births for this James
Davidson.� In the 1851 census, there was a James Davidson, (born 1801
Peterhead), but there was no mention of James Davidson in 1861 census, had he
possibly died? On this hunch, I found a Death Cert: March 28th 1858, 51 Longate,
Peterhead, James Davidson, (aged 57) father Alexander Davidson, mother Elspet
Hutchinson, witness was Janet Lawrence, neighbour.�

So Janet Lawrence was both a witness and a neighbour.� This address could have
been a family home, as two years earlier, James Davidson (1836-1856), son of
Robert Davidson and Helen Dunn died there.� In the 1861 census, Helen Dunn is
living at 52 Longate Street, Peterhead. Also here is daughter Elspet Craig and
her 3 children.� Helen and Robert's daughter Elspet married Alexander Craig in
1854 and in the 1861 census, they were living at 52 Longate Street, Peterhead.�
Further, Robert Davidson's daughter Elspeth, it could be argued under Scottish
naming patterns, was named after his mother, Elspet Hutchison.

So I've got a lot of circumstantial evidence that could lead one to assume that
this James Davidson was a brother to Robert and therefore gives me their
parents, Alexander Davidson and Elspet Hutchison

Please poke holes in my deductions, criticism welcomed, or� some thoughts to new
avenues to persue!

Best wishes,
Fionnadh




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]