The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-27 00:00:00

STORM AT WICK.

Seldom has the coast of Caithness been visited by
a more severe storm than that which burst upon it
on Wednesday last, rivalling as it did any gale of
the present year, with the exception of the hurri-
cane of the 3d of last month. In the early part of
the week a considerable quantity of, snow fell, ac-
companied by a strong north-westerly gale, and
followed by a fresh, under the influence of which
the snow disappeared, torrents of rain poured down,
and a hurricane of south •easterly wind threw such
a mass of sea ashore in tremendous columns as has
not been seen, even on this exposed coast, for many
years. Waves of terrific power dashed themselves
against the frowning reeks that protect our coast,
and threw immense masses of spray almost in-
credible distances into the interior of the coun-
try. The storm was in some small degree
presaged on Tuesday, when the Prince Consort
steamer, on her southern voyage, had a good
deal of difficulty in getting her cargo taken on
board. Next morning the bay was quite inaccessible,
and the Hamburg had to proceed to Ackergill. By
midday the storm had greatly increased, during
which a number of vessels were observed running
in the direction of the Orkneys, for the shelter
which could not be found on this dangerous and
refugeless coast ; among others one was a coal-laden
vessel for Wick, another was bound for Lybster,
and the other two were the Charles and. Ann Flem-
ing of this port. A fifth, the Martha, of Wick,
John Cormack, master, with staves for 'Wick from
Perth, and which had sailed from Fraserburgh on
Tuesday, ran for Sinclair's Bay, where anchor was
cast on Wednesday evening. In the morning she
was riding all tight, but as the gale and sea in-
creased, it was evident that she was critically
situated, and great anxiety was felt for the crew.
Some fishermen unsuccessfully attempted on the
previous evening to get an anchor on board, to
render her more safe, as it was evident, even then,
from her heavy pitchings and heavings, that the
moorings might prove insufficient. On Thursday
morning the dangerous position of the Martha be-
came known at Wick, and it was not long till con-
siderable anxiety was manifested throughout the
town. With his characteristic promptitude, Capt.
Tudor despatched a messenger to Ackergill to
ascertain the state of the vessel. On his return he
reported that both the Martha and her crew were
in imminent danger, upon which Captain Tudor
ordered that the lifeboat should at once be conveyed
to Ackergill, which was done with a readiness and
speed that cannot be too highly commended, Capt.
Tudor himself driving out in a gig, with lifelines
and lifebelts, to make the seeded arrangements be-
fore the arrival of the lifeboat. On reaching the
locality Capt. Tudor found that a steamer's boat
had been conveyed along the beach from Ackergill
to opposite where the Martha lay at anchor ; and
he instantly prepared to have the steamer's boat
manned ; putting on a cork jacket, and setting his
customary example of daring and promptitude in
such cases of urgency; he was speedily accompanied
by the following whose names deserve to be recorded:
—Finlay M'Lean,gamekeeper,Ackergill ; W.Thain,
fisherman, Ackergill ; David Taylor, fisherman,
Broadhavcn; J. Donaldson,fisherman,P ultney to wn ;
Thain, jun., fisherman, Ackergill; Rode-
rick 111(Leod, fisherman, Wick ; John Sutherland,
seaman, Pulteneytown ; John Oag, carpenter, Pul-
teneytown ; George Cormack, fisherman, Pulteney-
town. Launched under the farm of Shorelands,
the boat, steered by Capt. Tudor, proceeded on her
voyage of mercy, narrowly escaping being over-
whelmed by two tremendous billows, one of which
completely filled her, and the large mass of specta-
tors that had by this, time lined the beach awaited
afterwith tihneteenesbesiadnxiety the appearance of the boat
shuomwmbietaeufti
afuelmlyeanellhcee of the wave. It was wonderful
perseverancetew ards tdaeerrttgihi elad.
heavyand
The
billow,hmountedeayiear
noodnfw
tti
hht
with
heer butaeemi
two seas, in addition to inejneecrtginyg the noble crew
pulledwhat
of water on board the boat, talarcgaeptquaan,atditeyr
over, but in a couple of seconds thew llant.captain
was again at his post, and the boata was rapidly
speeding away towards the vessel. No special
circumstance occurred till the brave crew reached
the Martha's side, when Mr. Cormack and his com-
panion gratefully took advantage of the opportu-
pity afforded them of leauing their vessel, now
pitching
and rolling at a fearful rate. In a few
minutes the boat was once more on her voyage to
land. Guided by Capt. Tudor with great skill, the
more dangerous seas were avoided till she reached
the land breakers, when a scene of intense interest
was witnessed. - The crowds of anxious spectators
stood gazing in agonised suspense, holding their
breath as each successive wave burst upon the boat