Drowning fatalities at Don mouth

On Thursday afternoon, a melancholy accident happened at the Mouth of the River Don, by the upsetting of one of the Cobles employed in the Salmon Fishing there, and on board of which there were four salmon fishers, a woman with her two children, whom she had taken out for trying the effects of the sea air in alleviating the hooping cough, and a girl of about 13 years of age.  The four men were pulling out the coble through the breach on the sea shore, when a heavy swell struck it, already deep in the water with the net and number of people on board, and an alarm of danger being given by their cries and shrieks, an attempt was made to draw the coble to the shore, but unsuccessfully, the succeeding wave upsetting it, by which all were thrown into the sea.  The net, which was partly out, was immediately drawn in by the fishermen on shore, by which means two of their companions were brought out, while a number of White Fishers, who were accidentally near the spot, with the most praise-worthy alacrity rushed, into the water, and succeeded in bringing the remaining part of the unfortunate people to the land, two of the men, however, after some interval of time, and the whole seemingly in a lifeless state.  Some of the people present, with the prompt and laudable assistance of Mr Nicol's servants, and the carts from his farm, had them conveyed to Mr Allan's House, Brick-kilns, and another near; where, after a long perseverance in every endeavour which the circumstances would allow, or humanity suggest, the greater part of them were restored.  But we regret to state, that Thomas Nicol, a respectable old man, and John Hay, a young man of 23 years of age, much regretted, also one of the children about six months, were unfortunately past recovery - the means which had been used, both by those present after the accident, and afterwards by the Medical Gentlemen who attended, having unhappily failed of restoring animation.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 23rd June 1819.

Peter Henderson, drowned in the Don

Lately, as some people were going to the Church of Kemnay, their attention was attracted by a man's hat sticking up through the ice in the river Don; from which, and the discovery of a leather bag, or wallet, containing some provisions, they were led to a farther search, when the body of a man was found in the bed of the river.  On taking up the body, it appeared, from the papers in his pocket-book, that his name was Peter Henderson, a Chelsea Pensioner, who, it seems, had very improperly been allowed to leave a neighbouring public-house at a very late hour, the night preceding, in a state of Intoxication; and, mistaking his way, had lost his life in the Don, leaving a wife with three children, herself pregnant with the fourth, to lament his melancholy fate.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 27th January 1817.

Thomas Gill

On Saturday last, the body of Thomas Gill, coal broker, was found in the harbour, near the end of the Upper Quay.  He had been missing since the evening of Friday the 14th inst. and is supposed to have missed his way in the darkness of that tempestuous night, and fallen over the Quay, where he was unfortunately drowned.  With grief we have to state, that he has left a widow, with seven helpless children, to deplore his loss; and that she is also pregnant, and very near her in-lying, of an eighth child.  From the time of her husband being missed, she has been in a state of mind bordering on distraction; and her situation since the body was found, has been, and is truly pitiable.  We are glad to observe that some humane individuals have set on foot a subscription for her relief, and that of her infant family; to which we make no doubt the public will contribute with their wonted benevolence.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 26th November 1817.

Drowning tragedy: six lives lost

On Saturday afternoon, a melancholy accident happened on the coast of Cruden.  A boat belonging to Peterhead, on her return from Newburgh, with mussels, struck on a sunk rock off Whinnyfold, when, melancholy to relate, six people, (three men, and three young women) lost their lives, leaving their numerous relatives in a state of affliction more easily felt than described; the father of one of the parties having been an eye witness to the fate of his son.  The boat was seen to upset almost instantaneously, but at too great a distance for immediate relief.  The only survivor of the crew, Robert Sellar, was saved by clinging to the mast, which fortunately floated from the boat, and by laying hold of several oars, which were successively carried to him by the ebbing tide.  Three of the bodies were found in about half an hour, but the vital spark was extinct: these were William Mitchell, who was at the helm, George Alexander, and Christian Souter.  Those still missing are William Sellar, brother of the survivor, Jean Alexander, daughter of the above mentioned G.A. and Janet Mackie.  Two boats were employed during the whole of Sunday, dragging for the bodies missing, but without success.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 17th January 1817.

Accidental drowning at Auchmithie

On Friday week, Stewart Eston, fisherman in Auchmithie, while gathering dulse on a rock near that place, fell into the sea and was drowned.  He has left a wife and two children.  This is the fourth son, besides her husband, whom his aged mother (who is still alive) has had the affliction to find herself deprived of by the watery element.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 26th March 1817.

Drowning at Nigg

On Saturday last, a poor widow woman, of the name of Allan, was carried by the sea, while gathering dulce on the rocks near the Bay of Nigg, and drowned.  The body was not found for two hours after the accident.  We regret to learn, that she has left two children totally unprovided for.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 24th July 1816.

Accidental drowning

On Wednesday night last, as a man of the name of Donaldson, was returning with his wife from a North Country Market, he stumbled and fell on some stones by the road-side, near Hadagain, about 2 miles distant, when the latter, in her eagerness to assist him, fell into the Canal; upon which the husband, in his endeavours to rescue his wife from her perilous situation, also plunged into the water.  The alarm which was  given soon brought to their aid some of their friends, who were following closely, by whose exertions the woman was saved, but the man could not be got out before he was thus unfortunately drowned.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 19th October 1814.

Tragedy at sea

On Tuesday night last, Nicholas Paterson, a seaman, fell from on board the sloop Aid, in the harbour, into the tide, and after being some time in the water, and when ready to sink, was saved by the Mate of the vessel, who drew him up by means of a boat-hook, and thus rescued his companion from a fate, which he himself was soon to experience: for, next day, on the Aid sailing for London, when in the Bay, the Mate, of the name of Wishart, while preparing to take in the boat, fell overboard - and, before assistance could be afforded him, was carried off by the strength of the current, and unfortunately drowned.  He has left a Wife and two very young Children depending on him for support.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 29th July, 1812.