Drowning tragedy at Aberdeen beach

Melancholy Accident. - On Thursday last, two fine young men, David Watson, and David Greig, cartwrights, each about 25 years of age, were unfortunately drowned while bathing in the sea here.  David Greig had come out of the water, and was in the act of dressing himself, when he observed Watson struggling for his life; and rushing in to his assistance, lost his life in the humane attempt to save his fellow-workman.  There were several people on the beach, one of whom went in, and extended his hand to the sufferer, who attempting to grasp him by the neck, he was, for his own safety, obliged to abandon him to his fate.  Another lad went in, and threw the safety rope, kept by the proprietor of the Bathing Machines, towards the spot, but without effect; both the lads had already sunk under water, and were unable to see it.  The many accidents of this nature which we have occasion to notice, prove strongly the extreme danger of bathing on our beach, at low water, where the bottom is very uneven, and shelving into numberless holes.  The body of Watson was got out soon after the accident; and the usual means applied by a medical gentleman, to restore animation; but in vain.  The body of his unfortunate companion was not found until Monday night.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 12th August 1818.

John Fowler, Kintore

Melancholy Accident. - On Thursday last, a young man of the name of John Fowler, a farmer in the parish of Kintore, while loading his gun in the house, for the purpose, it is supposed, of shooting crows, resting the butt-end on the window, it immediately went off, and lodged the contents in his breast.  He immediately dropt down, and expired, leaving a widowed mother and sister, to deplore his loss.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 28th January 1818.

Accidental drowning at Belhelvie

The following melancholy accident happened on the sands opposite to Belhelvie, on Sunday morning last:- Hugh Sherriffs, a fine stout boy of 13 years of age, the son of a respectable widow woman of that parish, and the chief hope of her family, had gone in to bathe, at nearly low water, at a projecting point of sand, and getting immediately beyond his depth, was carried off by the force of the tide; and although there were several country lads bathing not far off, no effectual assistance could be given, as none of them could swim.  As soon as the accident was known, the nearest salmon cobles were procured, and the country people flocked down with laudable humanity, to give their assistance to search for the body, but it has not yet been found.  It is hoped, that if the body be found anywhere along the coast, it may be cared for, and immediate notice sent to his friends, that it may be restored to his afflicted mother, for interment, which would be the greatest consolation to her.  The boy was stout made, and had short red hair.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 28th August 1816.

Robert MacDonald

Today we reflect on the tragic event which claimed the life of Robert MacDonald, Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.  Robert, aged 39, was one of hundreds of casualties following an explosion on board the minelayer “Princess Irene” on 27^th May 1915 at Sheerness in Kent.  Although not named on the Portsoy town memorial, he is commemorated on the family gravestone in Portsoy cemetery, which identifies his parents as Robert MacDonald and Margaret Burgess.  Robert is also remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Eliza F. Cruden

We insert with painful regret a melancholy accident which took place in the vicinity of Cupar of Angus on Thursday the 8th instant.  As ELIZA FARQUHARSON CRUDEN, a child of five years old, and daughter of William Cruden, Esq. was travelling northward, the door of the carriage, by some unhappy circumstance flew open, whereby the child was precipitated with violence on the road, when the back of the head pitching on the ground, deprived her immediately of life.  Her body was brought to this place, and interred on Sunday last, in the burying ground here.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 14th December 1814.

Financial support for family of victim

A Five Pound Bank of England Note has been received by Mr EWEN, from an anonymous Correspondent in London, postage paid, for the benefit of the Widow and Seven Children of James Beverley, late of Rubislaw, who was killed by a cask of blubber falling upon him, on board a vessel in the harbour of Peterhead.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 22nd September 1813.