The Gloup Disaster
A statue of a woman looking out to sea with a child held in her arms.
On 20th July 1881 this depicted the scene all along the coast at Gloup, and other coastal communities in Shetland. Women waited, and hoped that their husbands and children would return. But sadly many did not.
The Gloup Disaster was perhaps the beginning of the end for the Haaf Fishing. This could have been the point where it was realised that going so far to sea in relatively small boats, was just too big a risk, and cost in terms of lives lost.
The day of 20th July 1881, started as what is referred to as a "day atween wadders", there had been strong winds for days and the boats had been kept ashore, but the morning of the 20th dawned clear with light winds, and although there was still a heavy sea running, the men were keen to get to sea. Their departure was delayed for the funeral of Jeemie Henry, skipper of the sixareen "Elizabeth", who had died of "Bool Cramp", the name given then to acute apendicitis.
Going over 40 miles to the fishing grounds, using simple landmarks for navigation, the boats had no idea of what was to happen. The crews were happy that the bad weather was over. If only they could have had the benefit of modern forecasts.
A fast moving depression which had formed to the west near Iceland rushed in with Hurricane force winds. The crews were taken by surprise, and made every effort to reach shore, but for some crews that was impossible.
Some of the boats which made shore were to report seeing boats overturned, and with no sign of life, there was nothing they could do, they had to consider the survival of their own crew.
The heroism of the skippers who managed to reach shore in that storm should never be forgotten.
The following men lost their lives in this disaster when their boats foundered.
Only the bodies of seven men were found, 36 of the men were from Gloup.
The 58 drowned haaf fishermen left behind 34 widows and 85 orphans.
| Boats and Crew | Boats and Crew |
| From Gloup: Ann Jessie (sixareen) Alexander Henry, Sandwick, skipper Thomas Henry, Sandwick William Williamson, Gutcher Thomas Henry, Houlland Arthur Moar, Mursetter Robert Williamson, Colvister Undaunted (sixareen) William Spence, Dalsetter, skipper Laurence Williamson, Colvister Alexander Tulloch Danielson, Kirkhoull George Moar, Stonganess Thomas Sandison Tulloch, Houlland Eliza (sixareen) Alexander Robertson, Stonganess, skipper Alexander Moar, Stonganess Basil Anderson, Houll James W. Spence, Toft Alexander Moar, Breckon Excelsior (sixareen) Andrew Anderson, Gutcher, skipper Alexander Moar, Gutcher Peter J. Williamson, Midbrake Thomas Hay, Burrabrake Andrew Dishington Moar, Huefield Thomas Bain, Midbrake Sixareen (name unknown) Laurence Danielson, Houlland, skipper Laurence Williamson, Westafirth Basil Hay, Mursetter James Nicholson, Sellafirth William J. Williamson, Gloup David Moar, Gutcher Sixareen (name unknown) William Henry, Gossaburgh, skipper Peter Williamson, Neepoback James Jamieson, Guddon Basil Gardner, Queyon James Sinclair, Muckle House, Cullivoe Andrew Nisbeth, Sandwick |
From Fethaland: Sixareen (name unknown) Isaac Gifford, Mossbank, skipper John Blance, Mossbank Robert Williamson, Innhouse James Robertson, Firth Alexander Beattie, Firth John Nicolson, Swinster Gilbert Couper, Firth From Ronas Voe: Eel (sixareen) Andrew Copland, Ollaberry, skipper John Tulloch, Ollaberry Magnus Sandison, Ollaberry Laurence Inkster, Ollaberry Thomas Anderson, Queyfirth Gedion Anderson, Queyfirth From Haroldswick: Sixareen (name unknown) James Thomson, Haroldswick, skipper Magnus Thomson, Haroldswick David Johnson, Haroldswick James Jamieson, Haroldswick William Anderson, Haroldswick Laurence Priest, Haroldswick From Havera: Small boat (name unknown) Walter Jamieson, Havera Walter Jamieson Jr., Havera James Smith, Havera |
Following the disaster a fund was set up to relieve the hardship of the widows and families..
The following is a copy of the appeal:
'Relief Fund'
--
By the sudden and disastrous Gale of the 20th
July, 1881,
The Crews of 10 Shetland Fishing
Boats, numbering Fifty-eight Men, lost their lives,
leaving about 200 persons, who were dependent
upon their exertions for their support, in a state
of destitution.
To provide for the necessities of
these persons, and also, if possible, to raise a Fund,
from which immediate assistance may be afforded
in similar circumstances in the future, subscriptions
are earnestly solicited.
Owing to the peculiar
dangers to which Shetland Fishermen are exposed,
such calamities are, though fortunately not to the
same extent, of annual and ordinary occurrence
throughout the Shetland Islands.
Convenor of the Committee--Sheriff Rampini Treasurer--Alexander Mitchell, Union Bank of Scotland, Lerwick, Secretary--J. Scott Smith, Sheriff-Clerk
The appeal raised £16,000, from all sources, equivalent in 2007 value at approx £1.2 million.
