1838
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- Thomas Balfour, MP for Orkney and Shetland died.
- The Market Cross in Lerwick became the official place for the publication of legal decrees, previously this had been done in the "Old Capital" of Scalloway.
June
- 12th
Steamship service first established between Shetland and Mainland UK. - 17th
The vessel Thomas, having previously arrived from Liverpool, England, went ashore at Scalloway on or before this date. The expectation was that she would be successfully refloated and salvaged.
November
- The Hero, in passage from London, England to Shetland wrecked at a location described as the "Cross Sands". However it has not been possible to identify where this location is. All of the crew with the exception of the Captain were saved.
December
- 2nd
The Elizabeth (1838), a full rigged ship, laden with a cargo of oak deals, of Newcastle, England, wrecked at Hillswick. - 26th
The Norna (1838), a schooner, laden with a mixed cargo, of Lerwick, from Baltasound, and for Cullivoe wrecked in Bluemull Sound, All of the crew were saved.
