Photocopied letter relating to the drowning in March 1857 of Lachlan MacDonald, John MacDonald and Hector MacDonald of Caoles.
Letter dated 11/3/1857 from Tiree Registrar William Wilson to Tobermory Procurator Fiscal Henry Nisbet informing him about the capsizing of a fishing skiff south of Coll and the drowning of Lachlan MacDonald, John MacDonald and Hector MacDonald of Caoles.
1858 Balemartine fishing tragedy
Transcription of the seven witness statements for the inquest into the loss of four Tiree fishermen in April 1858.
Courtesy of Argyll & Bute Archives
On 30th April 1858 four fishermen, cottars Donald MacLean and Alexander MacFarlane from Heylipol and John MacLean and Archibald MacArthur from Balinoe, were drowned in a great gale. They had left the port at Balemartine early that morning in calm, clear weather and headed for the fishing banks between Hynish and Skerryvore.
The wind began to blow in the afternoon. Other fishermen in the area saw them lifting their lines and reported that they were the last to leave the fishing grounds and head for home. The wind and tide were against them and they failed to reach the shore. Their boat was only 14 feet in length.
Charles Campbell, another Balemartine fisherman, set out a few days later when the storm had abated to search for the bodies. He found no trace of the boat or her crew in Colonsay, Islay or Iona.
Images of manuscript added to website August 2024:
A folder of papers including witness statements, a petition for search warrant and a search warrant regarding a breaking in and theft of fishing equipment in 1858. Donald McPhail of Kilmoluag is the accused.
Black and white photograph of John MacKinnon (b. 1850-1), Kilmoluaig.
John MacKinnon of Kilmoluaig (b.1859), he was brother of Dougall and Hector MacKinnon, the owners of the schooner `Coll Castle`. Married to a Cameron from Crossapol, he went to North Uist where he owned a small hotel. He had two sons and one daughter. He died aged about 40 and his remains were interred in Soroby.
Paperback book `A Very Fine Class of Immigrants` by Lucille H. Campey.
The Scottish emigrants in Prince Edward`s Island 1770-1850.
Paperback book `After the Hector` by Lucille H. Campey.
Account of the Scottish pioneers of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton from 1773 to 1852..
Photocopied letter dated 2/6/1885 from Donald Paterson in Patagonia to his brother John.
Letter dated 2nd June 1885 from Donald Paterson in Patagonia to his brother John in Tiree asking for his birth certificate to be sent so he can legally take possession of his land there.
Paperback book `The Long Farewell` by Don Charlwood.
Nineteenth century emigration to Australia.
Colour photograph of Dr Buchanan`s memorial at Baugh.
The inscription on Dr Alexander Buchanan`s memorial at Baugh.
Photocopied book extract from `George Douglas, Eighth Duke of Argyll` edited by the Dowager Duchess of Argyll, pp 133-147, 285-6, 321, 508 & 633.
Extracts about the landscape of Tiree, its people and surroundings seas, Skerryvore lighthouse, the potato famine and emigration, some local birds and bird-shooting.
