I have started researching about the haaf fishing, the Disaster of 1881, and the creation of the Shetland Fishermen’s Widows’ Fund, and I need your help. Do you have any personal accounts of the 1881 disaster or other stories about Shetland haaf skippers and fishermen at sea? Do you have photos or haaf fishing artifacts? Any family stories about how the widows and children fared? Have you collected information about the haaf fishing in general that you’d be willing to share? I’m starting to write my next book and I’d love to hear from you!
Depending on where you are in the world, today/tomorrow is the anniversary of the Gloup Fishing disaster. 143 years ago, on the night of Wednesday, July 20, 1881, the entire fleet of sixerns was at the far haaf when a violent storm blew up from the north-north-west. Some rode out the storm all night long, others managed to reach the shore safely, though not all at their home berths.
Ten boats with 58 men were lost that night, most as they approached the land [see the list of those lost below]. They left 34 widows, 85 children, and 14 other dependents. Half of those boats belonged to North Yell, so it is commonly referred to as the Gloup Disaster.
The total loss of lives and boats was as follows:—
* Boat I., belonging to Gloup, North Yell—Alexander Henry, skipper; Thomas Henry, Sandwick; William Williamson, Gutcher; Thomas Henry, Houlland; Arthur Moar, Mursetter; and Robert Williamson, Colvester.
* Boat II., belonging to Gloup—William Spence. skipper; Laurence Williamson, Colvester; Alexander Danielson, Kirkhoull; George Moar; Andrew Robertson; and Thomas Tulloch.
* Boat III., belonging to Gloup—Laurence Danielson, skipper; Laurence Williamson, Westafirth; Basil Hay, Mursetter; James Nicolson, Sellafirth; William J. Williamson, Gloup; and Daniel Moar, Gutcher.
* Boat IV., belonging to North Yell—Alexander Robertson, skipper; Alexander Moar, Cullivoe; Basil Anderson, Houll; William G, Anderson, Houll; James W. Spence, Cullivoe; and Alexander Moar, Breckon.
* Boat V., belonging to North Yell—Andrew Anderson, skipper, Gutcher; Andrew Moar, Gutcher; Peter J, Williamson, Houlland; Thomas Hay, Burrabrake; Andrew Moar, Huefield; and Thomas Bain, Midbrake.
* Boat VI., belonging to East Yell—William Henry, skipper; Peter Williamson, Neepoback: James Jamieson, East Yell; Basil Gardner, East Yell; James Sinclair, Cullivoe; Andrew Nisbet, Sandwick, (boy).
* Boat VII., belonging to Mossbank, at Fethaland—Isaac Gifford, skipper; James Blance, Mossbank; Robert Williamson, Innhouse; James Robertson, Firth; Alexander Beattie, Firth; John Nicolson, Swinister; and Gilbert Cooper, Firth.
* Boat VIII., belonging to Ollaberry, at Heylor—Andrew Copland, skipper; John Tulloch, Ollaberry; Magnus Sandison, Ollaberry; Laurence Inkster, Ollaberry; Thomas Anderson, Queyfirth; and Gideon Anderson, his son.
* Boat IX., belonging to Haroldswick—James Thomson, skipper; Magnus Thomson, Haroldswick; David Johnson, Haroldswick; James Jamieson, Haroldswick: William Anderson, Haroldswick; and Laurence Priest, Norwick.
* Boat X., belonging to Havera (inshore fishing)—Walter Jamieson, skipper; Walter Jamieson, junior; and James Smith.
Sources:
Charles Rampini, Report of the Shetland Relief Committee. (Lerwick: Shetland Times, 1881).
Shetland Times, Saturday, July 23, 1881, page 2, “Storm and Great Loss of Life.”
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