James Williamson

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

James Williamson of Brough, Whalsay was skipper of a haddock boat caught in the storm and blizzard of 9th December1887. The boat was new, and in attempting to land on the west side of Whalsay , it was driven on the rocky shore. As it struck, James Williamson and Peter Gilbertson managed to jump ashore, Peter falling and breaking his jaw. Waves then capsized the boat, trapping the two remaining crew underneath.
Disregarding his own safety, James jumped into the sea, and with the help of the next wave, managed to right the boat sufficiently to reach the two trapped men, injuring himself with the exertion. Holding one man in each hand, he then got the semi-conscious men ashore, all three of them now exhausted.
The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society awarded James two guineas, and the R.N.L.I. did likewise. James was also awarded the Bronze Medal of the Board of Trade.
The presentations by Sheriff Mackenzie, took place in Fort Charlotte, and Laurence Moar was honoured at the same time for his efforts in the same storm.