Eyemouth Disaster
Encyclopedia
The Eyemouth disaster was a severe European windstorm
that struck the southern coast of Scotland
, United Kingdom
, specifically Berwickshire
, on 14 October 1881. 189 fishermen died, most of whom were from the village of Eyemouth
. Many citizens of Eyemouth call the day Black Friday.
Some boats that had not capsized were wrecked on the Hurkar Rocks
. Two days later, the Ariel Gazelle turned up in Eyemouth; it had braved the storm instead of fleeing.
-led relief fund was established to provide financial security to families who had lost members to the storm. The response was significant, bringing in over £50,000 (over £4 million in 2005 currency).
European windstorm
A European windstorm is a severe cyclonic windstorm associated with areas of low atmospheric pressure that track across the North Atlantic towards northwestern Europe. They are most common in the winter months...
that struck the southern coast of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
, specifically Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
, on 14 October 1881. 189 fishermen died, most of whom were from the village of Eyemouth
Eyemouth
Eyemouth , historically spelt Aymouth, is a small town and civil parish in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is east of the main north-south A1 road and just north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. It has a population of circa 3,420 people .The town's name comes from its location at...
. Many citizens of Eyemouth call the day Black Friday.
Casualties
- EyemouthEyemouthEyemouth , historically spelt Aymouth, is a small town and civil parish in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is east of the main north-south A1 road and just north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. It has a population of circa 3,420 people .The town's name comes from its location at...
- 129 - BurnmouthBurnmouthBurnmouth is a small fishing village located adjacent to the A1 road on the east coast of Scotland. It is the first village in Scotland on the A1, after crossing the border with England...
- 24 - NewhavenNewhaven, EdinburghNewhaven is a district in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, between Leith and Granton. Formerly a village and harbour on the Firth of Forth, it currently has approximately 5,000 inhabitants....
- 17 - CoveCove, Scottish BordersCove is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, close to Cockburnspath, Dunglass, Innerwick, Oldhamstocks, Bilsdean, and, further afield, Dunbar and Eyemouth. It is approximately 36 miles east of Edinburgh and is about 8 miles from Dunbar...
- 11 - Fisherrow in MusselburghMusselburghMusselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre.-History:...
- 7 - Coldingham Shore - 3
Some boats that had not capsized were wrecked on the Hurkar Rocks
Hurkar Rocks
The Hurkar Rocks are a group of rocks outside the harbour of Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. The rocks become exposed during low tide. The placenames vary from Hurkur, Hurker, Hurkar, Harkar, and Buss Craig Rock...
. Two days later, the Ariel Gazelle turned up in Eyemouth; it had braved the storm instead of fleeing.
Aftermath
A donationDonation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
-led relief fund was established to provide financial security to families who had lost members to the storm. The response was significant, bringing in over £50,000 (over £4 million in 2005 currency).
Further reading
- "Black Friday" by Peter Aitchison {Birlinn Press, 2006}
- "The Boy Who Came Ashore" by Alan Gay (Dreadful Night Press, 2006)