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:
List of donors of Church funds found in a byre opposite Hynish House
Hand-written list of donors` names and addresses, and amount of money received by Rev. D. MacDonald. Names include: Chrissie MacDonald, Edinburgh; Anonymous; Neil MacArthur, The Store, Balemartine; John MacLean, Balemartine; Flora MacLean, Balemartine; John MacFarlane, Balemartine; Flora MacIntyre, Balemartine; Donald MacLean, Roadside; Balemartine; Hector Campbell, The Store, Balemartine; Peggie MacKinnon, Springfield, Balemartine; Miss Wilson, Schoolhouse, Balemartine; Margaret ?, Ruaig; Mr Hume, Heylipol Farm; Mrs Kennedy, Ardliu, Balinoe; A MacDonald, Mannal; Dr Hunter, Baugh; Chistina MacKinnon, The Store, Balemartine; Mrs MacKinnon, The Farmhouse, Balemartine.
Colour photograph of P6/7 pupils with Archie John MacLean in 1994-5.
P6/7 pupils visiting farmer Archie John MacLean of Heylipol and his son Fraser in 1994-5 as part of a project for the Royal Highland Show Schools Shield 1994-5. L-R: (back) Shona MacMillan, Bank House, Scarinish; Jennifer Scott, Cornaigmore; Archie John MacLean, Heylipol; Suzi MacArthur, Caoles; Iain Brown, Cornaigbeg; Karen MacArthur, Caoles; (middle) Donald MacKinnon, Vaul; Christopher Gillespie, Crossapol; David MacFadyen, Caoles; Angus John MacKechnie, Crossapol; Lyndsay Monaghan, Heanish; Hannah Wiliams, Balemartine; (front) David Hunter, Cornaigmore; Fraser MacLean, Heylipol; Peter MacLeod, Heylipol; Christina Cameron, Balevullin; Calum Williams, Kirkapol.
