S.S.Sterlina wrecked on Gizzen Briggs 4th December 1910

By Douglas Gordon

S.S.Sterlina wrecked on

Gizzen Briggs 4th December 1910

By Douglas Gordon

 

Plaque on Carnegie Hall Portmahomack on left of main doo

 

I came across the fatal accident inquiry of the S S Sterlina when doing family history research in Inverness Library newspaper records which got me started on recording all I could find out about the Sterlina.

When I was doing research into this boat, it mentions the boat had come from Creich which I found out is the Parish of Creich and the boat loaded up with wood at Bonar Bridge on opposite side of river from Bonar Bridge where there was a harbour and sawmill. The logs were floated down the river to Bonar Bridge.

I met Bunty Gordon (no relation) of Bonar Bridge historical society who was a great help to me and showed me photos of sailing boats tied up at Bonar Bridge harbour in front of bridge, this photo was taken 1812 – 1893 with schooner.

Richard MacRae Captain of S.S. Sterlina showing him years later on NAAFI boat the Liliy taking naval supplies to ships in the Cromarty Firth.

His granddaughter lives in Tain, she sent me this photo of her grandfather.

The following information I got from Jim Fallon who did research for me in Portmahomack Harbour trust records.

Newspaper Reports

Ross-shire Journal 9 December 1910

Ross-shire Journal 9 December 1910

Northern Chronicle Dec 1910  This paper covered the North of Scotland and stopped getting printed in 1960s

Invergordon Times 10th December 1910

This paper finished in 1915 due to restrictions in reporting during the First World War as Invergordon was a major naval base.

Invergordon Times 11 th January 1911

Invergordon Times 11 th January 1911

Northern Chronicle 1st February 1911

Ross-Shire Journal 27th January 1911

The Fishermen who did the rescue of Sterlina

Fishermen who rescued crew of S.S.Sterlina

 

Thought you might be interested in names of crew who went to the rescue of the Sterlina

Sorry I cannot fit names to faces:-

   David Mackay (Pilot) whose boat was used, no relatives around now but known to have a grandson in London.

 

    Alex “Dolac ”Macdonald 

 

    James “Jimsack ”Skinner 

 

    Donald  " Dannack” Mackay

 

    William " Willa " Smith 

There are still relatives of these fishermen living in our village of Portmahomack today.