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.

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.

Old Aberdeen: property to be let

LANDS IN THE VICINITY OF OLD ABERDEEN TO BE LET,

Entry at Martinmas, 1812.

THOSE PARKS in TAILS, lying on the West side of the City of Old Aberdeen, and in the immediate vicinity thereof, presently possessed by Alex. Massie, Jas. Catto, Anne Keith, Alex. George, and the heirs of William Gray, consisting of about thirteen acres; also, that part of the Market Land of Old Aberdeen, presently possessed by the heirs of William Gray, and consisting of one acre and three quarters.  Entry to the whole to be had at Martinmas, 1812.

There is likewise to be let, the Salmon Fishing of Bankhead, on the River Don, from and after Whitsunday next.

Thewhole belonging to the Mortifications of King's College.

For particulars, application may be made to Dr. Gerrard, King's College, Aberdeen.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday19th February, 1812.