1859
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- Publication of "Sketches and Short Stories of Scotland and the Scotch, and Shetland and the Shetlanders", by Catherine Sinclair.
January
- 6th
The Maria (1859), a schooner laden with stockfish, of Bilbao, Spain, from Christiansand/Christiansund, Norway for Santander, Spain wrecked between the Brethren and Green Holm north of Lerwick. All of the crew were saved.
March
- 12th
The Achilles, a ship in ballast, of and from Bremen, Germany, for New Orleans, Louisiana U.S.A. was run ashore, believed to have been at the Bay of Scousburgh, Dunrossness, during a storm with all her sails blown from the yards except the foresail. All of the crew were saved, and the vessel was later refloated and towed to Peterhad, Scotland to be broken up in July.
September
- 1st
Election of the Lerwick Town Council.
November
- 5th
Author and publisher Thomas Manson was born.