Daily Republican., 1881-08-09
DETAILS OF A TERRIFIC STORM N
six'y.three Lives Lost and Homes
DenOIate.

The London Standard in recent is,
sue saws:
A fearful storm swept over the Shet-
l'nd Islands late on Wednesday night,
July 70, and continued to blow with
great fury till Thursday morning, re-
sulting in the destruction of property
and a loss OF lite unprecedented ia the
North since 1882. On Wednesday the
weather was favorable for prosecuting
fishing and boats from every station
throughout the islands put to sea, when
the storm burst with a suddennesS that
gave no preliminary warning. The
boats were far at sea; those prosecuting
herring tlsLlnS had their nets set, and
those at cod fishing had lines set. The
storm prevented the fishermen from
hauling heir lines or nets, and u great
los of fishing material was sustained.
On Thursday all the large decked boats
| tShiug from LerwiCk had arrived in
safety but us day advanced and reports
came in from the inland stations it was
apparent that a terrible calamity had
overtaken large proportion of the iu-
habitants of the island. At Dunross
ness five boats were missing, hut arriv-
ed late on Thursday night, to the mex
presSihle JOY Of the wives and families
of the men
The fleet at Scallcway and Walls,
which are all iecked boats, weathered
the gale in safety, but Suffered the loss
OF their material. 1t is IN the north
Isles of Shetland that the most disas-
trous oSS has occurred. Owing to the
difficulty Of communication, and the
want of Telegraph facilities to some
places, it is impossible as yet to give
full details, but the grave fears enter
tanned at first h we been sadly confirm
ed. 1t is now ascertained beyond doubt
that ten boats have been lost in tie
isles. These are native boats, locally |
known as "sixcns, that is, pulling six |
oars, but also using lug sail, and gener.
ally haviug crew of six men each. |
One of The boats belonging to INST, the
most northern Of the Shetland Islands, !
six belonging to the Island of Yell, two
to Feedaani and one to Mos3bank,
were missing from Fetlar News from
another district srates that q boat be.
longing 20 l!avera, q small island close
tc Scal!oway, has also been wrecked,
thus making, so far as is yet ascertain.
I'd, IL boats and 63 lives lost.
Wrnckage has been driven ashore a,
many places i'll the island. Part of one
Of the Yell boats has been driven ashore
at inst, an also the body OF the Cap
lam. This is the on! y body yet racov-
red, and, owing to the raptdity of the
lles in The Snetland, it is probable
hat most Of the boats will never he rc-
'oIcrcd. The revenue enter Ea Gle pro.
'ccdcd 10 sea in sear:h OF the boats, and
M Friday picked up one about five
niles southeast of the Sknrrics. There
was not "a soul on board, all rhe crsw
having net a watery grave. On being
aken to Larwick tins boat was idcntl-
led as belonging 10 INST. One boat
lad narrow escape. 1t was one o the
argc full decked boats, and the crew
iaVinG set their nets decided to stick
~ them. The loat rode out in the
'' orIn; although the craft was often GOV
'red by the heavy Seas. When the
storm abalcd the men found an extra
ordinary heavy take Of herring in the .
letS, and the boat was uIablc to take ,
III on board, even though the ballast
vas thrown overheard. ,
After taGlngOn board about 20 Craas :
t herring valued at over $50, the crew
anded over the remainder in their ,
cts to an Irish boat belonging to Dub. :,
n, at present fishing in Shetland, that -
anne to render assistance. y,
The scenes witnessed ut the landing -
lacas and along the seacoast are
ear rending. In Shetland it is cusro- :"
Iary tor fat her and sJns, and, perhaps, /;
ther relatives, to fish in the same boat, .,
nd thus several families all closely re- -,
ted are deprived of their bread win y,
ers. Asa rule, the people are exceed :,
'gly poor, and the destituton caused =,
the calamity among the POO or 800 IL
tpendent widows and children will az
} tearfu as their neighbors are most ~
us poor as themselves The people +.
Lerwick, considering the necessity ",
immediate assistance held public h.
eeling to consider what should be
me to relieve the distress among the
idows, orphans, ana aged aud help.
~ depehdants upon the fishing. AS 49,,
IL details were not yet to hand, il
as decided III the meantime to appoint
arge and influential committee, with
II powers to take what action they VII
nsdered best under these circum- Sd
lnCeS. ~