1807
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- Sandwick Kirk was built.
- Malcolm Laing became Member of Parliament for Orkney & Shetland.
- Turnips introduced.
- US President Thomas Jefferson became the proud owner of a four horned Shetland Ram, and started breeding Shetland Sheep on what is now known as the South Lawn at the Whitehouse. Full accounts of this somewhat colourful part of US Presidential history can be read hereand here.
- The so-called "Faroe Fishing" started c. 1807. Shetland based fully decked smacks and schooners, who went to fishing grounds mainly at the Faroe Banks, but ocasionally to Rockall, Iceland and the Davis Straits to fish by lines for cod. Three or four trips were usually made each year, the catch was stored in salt onboard and dried on Shetland beaches upon their return. A catch of approx 30 - 40 tons of fish was considered a good trip.
January
- 23rd
The Atlas (1807), a barque, of and from Leith, Scotland, for the West Indies, wrecked on the Ness of Ireland after having perviously been towed in to Bigton Wick in a badly storm damaged condition. One man was lost.
