Printed scans from the register of the Royal Humane Society of London, 1869, showing the entry for Captain Archibald Brown, Mannal, and his crew who saved three of the crew of the ‘Maria & Fanny’ when it was stricken on rocks near Kenavara in August 1868. The Society awarded the Captain Brown the silver medal for bravery and his crew bronze medals. The crew were Neil Sinclair, Archibald MacLean snr, Archibald MacLean jnr, John Black, Duncan MacLean, Thomas Campbell and Archibald Brown.
Black & white photograph of black-roofed houses at The Green, Kilmoluaig, with the wreck of the SS Ingrid on the rocks in the background. SS Ingrid was a Norwegian steamship, which struck rocks off The Green in January 1942 enroute from the Tyne to Hampton Roads and Cuba.
Information about Archibald MacKinnon, Balephuil & Mull (1824-1886) and Colin MacDonald, Balephuil & Glasgow (1856-1927). Colin MacDonald’s father (also Colin) died in the Balephuil fishing disaster of 1856, just before he was born. Colin Jnr trained as a doctor then returned to Tiree to start a practice at Balemartine in 1909. Colin’s wife Jessie Maggie MacKinnon was Archibald MacKinnon’s daughter. Archibald MacKinnon survived the Balephuil fishing disaster of 1856.
“Around 1909, a second doctor had come to the island, Dr Colin MacDonald (an Dotair Domhnallach), whose first wife was related to Helen Kennedy (Eilidh bheag, Balevullin), set up a rival practice in Balemartine … but it is unlikely the island could support two doctors and left after a few years to go to Bunessan” [on Mull]. Extract from ‘Water from the Seventh Wave – a history of Tiree’s healers’ by John Holliday.
Five small lumps of coal found on the beach at Port a’ Mhuilinn, Hynish, in 2018. They were probably washed ashore from either the ‘Regina’ or the ‘Marchioness of Lorne’, which were wrecked nearby in 1872 and 1875, respectively.
Large wooden pulley block found at the west end of Crossapol beach in 2008/2009. Thought to be from the schooner ‘Oceana‘, which was wrecked at the east end of the beach in 1949.
Photocopy of the certificate from the French government to Captain Neil MacLean, Caoles, which accompanied the Silver Medal of Rescue awarded to him in 1928 for his part in the rescue of a stricken French vessel in 1927. Includes typed notes by Neil MacLean’s nephew, Archie MacLean, on the French used in the certificate and the English translation.
Framed certificate from the Merchant Marine of France to Captain Neil MacLean, Caoles, accompanying the Silver Medal of Rescue awarded to him in 1927 for his part in the rescue of a stricken French vessel.
Click here to view 2018.95.2
Translation: The Minister of Public Works certifies that, by a Decree of 6 March 1928, the President of the French Republic has awarded the Silver Medal for Rescue to Mr N. McLean, English subject, captain of the English steamship ‘Dunston’, in recognition of the part he played, on 4 December 1927, in taking on board his ship the crew members of the French vessel ‘Amphitrite’ which was in peril having been dismasted and disabled in the storm off the coast of Brittany. By the Minister, The Director of Work Services and Navigational Studies, Paris 19 March 1928.
Marine Marchande Médaille de Sauvetage en Argent / Merchant Marine Silver Medal of Rescue awarded by the President of the French Republic to Captain Neil MacLean for his part in the rescue of a stricken French vessel in 1927. The medal is inscribed with “N. Mc Lean 1927” and bears the words “Courage et Devouement“, and is accompanied by a certificate. Includes the original presentation box.
Neil MacLean was born at Carnan, Caoles, and was the master of the British steamship ‘Dunston’ when, on 4 December 1927, he assisted in the rescue of crew members of the ‘Amphitrite’, which had become demasted and disabled in a storm off the coast of Brittany.
Lump of ‘sea coal’ found at Port a’ Mhuilinn, Hynish (grid ref. NL 97995 38780), from one of two shipwrecks, either the coal puffer ‘Regina’ 1872 (Canmore ID# 256038), or the cargo steam ship ‘Marchioness of Lorne’ 1875.
