Robert Anderson - Wick's Black Saturday (1885)

19th August 1848: 800 boats had left Wick harbour for the fishing grounds. A terrible storm struck the North East Coast of Scotland and the boats were trapped outside the harbour waiting for high tide to allow them safe passage to the calmer waters. Many tried to run the bay with the incoming tide but were blown onto the rocks or collided with other vessels while their family and friends looked on from the shore in horror.In total 37 men belonging to Wick District drowned, leaving 17 widows and 63 children. Altogether 18 boats were lost. The total loss of life on the north east coast was 94 lives and about 30 boats and the value of the property lost was estimated at £23,000.The subsequent public inquiry revealed that if the boats had remained at sea there were more chances of surviving. One of the frailest of the boats rode at her nets until the gale subsided and reached the harbour the next day.[1]

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