John Wood drowned at Cove

On Thursday last, a fine young lad, 17 years of age, of the name of John Wood, while in the act of gathering bait at the Cove, was unfortunately drowned.  There was a little boy along with him, but he could render him no assistance.  His hat and a few small books, which were in the inside, have been cast ashore, but the body has not yet been found.  The books had been given him by the Rev. Dr Cruden of Nigg, a day or two before he was lost.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 16th June 1819.

John Paton drowned off Usan

On Monday last, John Paton, a youth, 14 years of age, and the son of a poor old fisher in Usan, was unfortunately lost at sea, about four miles off that village.  He went, in company with his brother and three pilots, to bring back the boat, after putting the men on board of different vessels bound for Montrose; and had left the last man on board of a smack, and just swung away with a rope fast to the vessel, when the boat was suddenly pulled to one side, filled with water, and the young man was thus plunged into a watery grave, as no assistance could be rendered him, from the velocity with which the vessel was sailing.  The elder brother was saved by promptly lashing himself to the boat.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 24th March 1819.

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.

Drowning in river Dee

We learn that the body of John Ramsay, the unfortunate man, who, as mentioned in last Aberdeen Chronicle, left his house, in the parish of Kincardine O'Niel, on the 23d ult. was found drowned in the River Dee, on the afternoon of Saturday last, near the Bridge of Potarch.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 2nd July 1817.

Accidental death of John Smith

We are extremely concerned, to state, that on Tuesday morning, the 12th instant, Mr JOHN SMITH, a man of the most respectable character, who has for many years acted as Manager of the Printing Works of Messrs. Gordon, Barron, & Co. lost his life, by falling in to one of the Canals on their premises at Woodside.  He had risen very early, and after having been employed for some time in the Counting House, had gone to draw some water, for the purpose, as is supposed, of washing himself.  By the extreme force of the current acting powerfully on the vessel he had used, together with the slippery state of the ground, he must have been instantaneously dragged into the Canal, and from thence, most unfortunately carried to the River. The strictest search has been made, and is still making, for the body, but as yet without success.  - The above account differs in some respects from that given in a contemporary print; but we are authorised to say, this statement is correct.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 20th November 1816.

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.

Accidental death in Old Deer

On Saturday the 13th current, Mr Gilbert Beedie, at Lintmill of Quartalehouse, parish of Old Deer, a man nearly 70 years of age, while crossing the Mill-lead, on a plank, unfortunately fell in, and was carried down the stream a considerable way, when he was observed by some people passing at the time, who instantly went to his assistance.  Medical means were immediately used, but we are sorry to say without effect, the vital spark being extinct.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 17th January 1816.

Drowning at Grandholm

A boy, of the name of Monro, last week fell into the Mill-lead at Grandholm Mill, which was full of water, owing to a sluice being left open, and he was in consequence unfortunately drowned.  His body, notwithstanding diligent search, has not been found.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 21st December 1814.

Margaret Fraser, accidental drowning

Yesterday afternoon, the body of Margaret Fraser was found in the Canal, near Hadagain.  She was a poor woman, and dealt in gingerbread and confections; and is supposed to have fallen in on her way from some of the country markets.  She had been amissing for a week or two.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 7th December 1814.

Alexander Baxter drowned

On Wednesday morning last, as Alexander Baxter, a fisherman, was returning from fishing in a small yawl, it ws upset by a swell on the bar, and he was unfortunately drowned - having sunk at the very time when one of the men in a coble, which had pushed off to his assistance, was reaching out his hand to rescue him from his impending fate.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 30th September 1812.