1861
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- Shetland Literary and Scientific Society founded, with the aim of
"Promoting General Literary and Scientific Knowledge, and the study of the Antiquities and the Natural History of the Shetland Isles."
This society lasted almost 90 years,functioning latterly mainly as a lending library, until in 1948 its books were added to the county library collection. Its demise was largely due to it being a subscription library run by volunteers, whilst the county library was a free service. Its last premises were on Commercial Street behind Solotti's cafe. - Population of the islands 31,670 with 13,053 men and 18,607 women.
February
- 22nd
The Frederick Wilhelm Das Drittel, a barque of Danzig, Prussia (now Gdansk, Poland), laden with a cargo of coal, from either Sunderland, England to Danzig, Prussia (now Gdansk, Poland), or, Newcastle, England, to Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland), was abandoned in a sinking state off Sumburgh Head and later sank off Voe, Dunrossness. All of the crew were saved.
August
- 6th
The author Basil R Anderson was born.
December
- 11th
The Nord Stern, a brigantine laden with a cargo of timber, of Rostock, Germany, from Memel, Prussia (now Klaipėda, Lithuania) and for Newcastle, England, having been previously abandoned on the Dogger Bank in the southern North Sea, drove ashore derelict on Stava Ness, North Nesting, and broke up during the night of the 12th. A portion of her cargo drifted away, but an amount was saved, and was taken to Lerwick and sold by February 10th following.
