Moray Firth Rescues
North Star and Farmers' Chronicle - Thursday 05 February 1903
EXCITING RESCUE FROM DROWNING—On Saturday, Simon Macleod, drummer in the Cameron Highlanders, jumped into the Ness at Anderson Street while it was in greet flood. W. Lamb, sweep, went into the water after him, and kept his head above the water for a short time, but as Macleod struggled with him he was forced to let him go. Then a tar from the H.M.S Briton jumped in to save Lamb from drowning. Meanwhile the soldier was being carried down the river, but fortunately J. Macrae, potato merchant saw his peril, and leapt into the roaring current and managed to pull him ashore in an unconscious condition. The exciting affair was witnessed by a large number of people. On Monday Simon appeared in the Police Court and was dismissed with an admonition by Bailie Charles Mackay
EXCITING RESCUE FROM DROWNING—On Saturday, Simon Macleod, drummer in the Cameron Highlanders, jumped into the Ness at Anderson Street while it was in greet flood. W. Lamb, sweep, went into the water after him, and kept his head above the water for a short time, but as Macleod struggled with him he was forced to let him go. Then a tar from the H.M.S Briton jumped in to save Lamb from drowning. Meanwhile the soldier was being carried down the river, but fortunately J. Macrae, potato merchant saw his peril, and leapt into the roaring current and managed to pull him ashore in an unconscious condition. The exciting affair was witnessed by a large number of people. On Monday Simon appeared in the Police Court and was dismissed with an admonition by Bailie Charles Mackay
North Star and Farmers' Chronicle - Thursday 27 September 1906
SMART RESCUE BY FISHERMEN On Wednesday last a smart rescue was accomplished in the Cromarty Firth by three fishermen• Donald Watson, " Isaac," David Watson, and James Watson, 4 Gordon's Lane, Cromarty. It appears that a party of coastguards were boating in the firth, and when about half a mile off Cromarty pier, the boat capsized owing to a man having climbed the mast to adjust a rope. Fortunately the sea was calm and the coastguards and a boy who was also with them were able to retain hold of the boat. The accident was observed at a distance of about 300 yards by the fishermen who were sailing from Invergordon. They promptly put out their oars and lost no time in reaching the submerged men. Soon after they picked them up two boats from H.M.S. Ringdove appeared on the scene. The bight; credit is due to the fishermen for the smart manner in which they effected the rescue.
SMART RESCUE BY FISHERMEN On Wednesday last a smart rescue was accomplished in the Cromarty Firth by three fishermen• Donald Watson, " Isaac," David Watson, and James Watson, 4 Gordon's Lane, Cromarty. It appears that a party of coastguards were boating in the firth, and when about half a mile off Cromarty pier, the boat capsized owing to a man having climbed the mast to adjust a rope. Fortunately the sea was calm and the coastguards and a boy who was also with them were able to retain hold of the boat. The accident was observed at a distance of about 300 yards by the fishermen who were sailing from Invergordon. They promptly put out their oars and lost no time in reaching the submerged men. Soon after they picked them up two boats from H.M.S. Ringdove appeared on the scene. The bight; credit is due to the fishermen for the smart manner in which they effected the rescue.
North Star and Farmers' Chronicle - Thursday 20 May 1909
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING —One of the officers of the war vessels lying off Cromarty had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday afternoon. Hs was the sole occupant of an open sailing boat, and was observed sailing in the direction of Keesock Ferry. Four young men observed in the distance that the boat capsized, and rushed for a boat to go to his rescue. The officer held on to the gunwhale, but was unable to divert himself of his boots and jacket. However, be endeavoured to swim ashore a distance of over one mile. After swimming some distance, he attempted to return to the upturned boat, but he became exhausted, so be lay on his back, in order to keep afloat. The four young pilots made for the spot, and got hold of him as he was apparently sinking. After proper treatment, and a few hours rest at Craigton, the officer was able to drive to Fortrose. He had been in the water for over half an hour, and probably were it not for the promptness of the pilots, he would have been drowned. The boat was afterwards picked up by a steam launch.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING —One of the officers of the war vessels lying off Cromarty had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday afternoon. Hs was the sole occupant of an open sailing boat, and was observed sailing in the direction of Keesock Ferry. Four young men observed in the distance that the boat capsized, and rushed for a boat to go to his rescue. The officer held on to the gunwhale, but was unable to divert himself of his boots and jacket. However, be endeavoured to swim ashore a distance of over one mile. After swimming some distance, he attempted to return to the upturned boat, but he became exhausted, so be lay on his back, in order to keep afloat. The four young pilots made for the spot, and got hold of him as he was apparently sinking. After proper treatment, and a few hours rest at Craigton, the officer was able to drive to Fortrose. He had been in the water for over half an hour, and probably were it not for the promptness of the pilots, he would have been drowned. The boat was afterwards picked up by a steam launch.
Northern Daily Telegraph - Friday 4 June 1909
RESCUE AT SEA.
NAVAL COMMANDER'S BRAVE CONDUCT.
An act of conspicuous bravery on the part of the naval officer was witnessed on board H.M.S. Britannia during the recent voyage from Cromarty to Portsmouth. On May 25 a shipwright named Tooner fell overboard and, as it was blowing hard and there was a nasty, choppy sea, he was unable to reach a lifebuoy thrown to him. The lifeboat was lowered, but had a long pull to windward, and could never have reached him in time to save him. Fortunately the man was a splendid swimmer, and the signalman kept a good watch on him. After some time the ship came round, the man having been then some twenty minutes in the water.
Commander E. A. Taylor was in the after-turret when the man was seen some way ahead of the ship. He flew down from the turret and through the battery, and reaching the forecastle, he dived off at once (only throwing away his cap), and caught the man just as he was sinking from sheer exhaustion. An able-seaman named Tucker also dived in, but there is no doubt that the commander saved the man's life, as he was actually under the water and sinking when reached. The three men were picked up by one of the ship's cutters which had been held in readiness to drop into the sea. Tooner, thanks to his fine physique, was soon able to resume his duties. Commander Taylor, his rescuer, is a powerful swimmer, of splendid build, and known on the ship to be an athlete.
RESCUE AT SEA.
NAVAL COMMANDER'S BRAVE CONDUCT.
An act of conspicuous bravery on the part of the naval officer was witnessed on board H.M.S. Britannia during the recent voyage from Cromarty to Portsmouth. On May 25 a shipwright named Tooner fell overboard and, as it was blowing hard and there was a nasty, choppy sea, he was unable to reach a lifebuoy thrown to him. The lifeboat was lowered, but had a long pull to windward, and could never have reached him in time to save him. Fortunately the man was a splendid swimmer, and the signalman kept a good watch on him. After some time the ship came round, the man having been then some twenty minutes in the water.
Commander E. A. Taylor was in the after-turret when the man was seen some way ahead of the ship. He flew down from the turret and through the battery, and reaching the forecastle, he dived off at once (only throwing away his cap), and caught the man just as he was sinking from sheer exhaustion. An able-seaman named Tucker also dived in, but there is no doubt that the commander saved the man's life, as he was actually under the water and sinking when reached. The three men were picked up by one of the ship's cutters which had been held in readiness to drop into the sea. Tooner, thanks to his fine physique, was soon able to resume his duties. Commander Taylor, his rescuer, is a powerful swimmer, of splendid build, and known on the ship to be an athlete.
Rugby Advertiser - Tuesday 08 June 1909
BRAVE RESCUE AT SEA.
An act of conspicuous bravery on the part of a naval officer was witnessed on board H.M.S. Britannia during the recent voyage from Cromarty to Portsmouth. A shipwright named Tooner fell overboard, and as it was blowing hard and there was a nasty choppy sea he was unable to reach the lifebuoy which bad been thrown to him. Fortunately the man was a splendid swimmer. After some time the ship came round, the man having then been some twenty minutes in the water. Commander E. A. Taylor was in the after turret when the man was seen some way ahead of the ship. He rushed down through the battery, and reaching the forecastle dived off at once and caught the man just as he was sinking from sheer exhaustion. An able seaman named Tucker also dived in. The three men were picked up by one of the ship's cutters.
BRAVE RESCUE AT SEA.
An act of conspicuous bravery on the part of a naval officer was witnessed on board H.M.S. Britannia during the recent voyage from Cromarty to Portsmouth. A shipwright named Tooner fell overboard, and as it was blowing hard and there was a nasty choppy sea he was unable to reach the lifebuoy which bad been thrown to him. Fortunately the man was a splendid swimmer. After some time the ship came round, the man having then been some twenty minutes in the water. Commander E. A. Taylor was in the after turret when the man was seen some way ahead of the ship. He rushed down through the battery, and reaching the forecastle dived off at once and caught the man just as he was sinking from sheer exhaustion. An able seaman named Tucker also dived in. The three men were picked up by one of the ship's cutters.
North Star and Farmers' Chronicle - Thursday 14 October 1909
About mid-day on Tuesday five bluejackets had narrow escapes from drowning and were rescued by fishermen. A whale-boat from H.M.S. Dominion, with five men on board, when approaching their ship was struck by a sudden squall. The boat was immediately capsized, and the men thrown into the water. The accident was unobserved from the Dominion, and it would have gone hard with men in the rough sea had no one gone to their assistance. Fortunately the mishap was observed by two fishermen, Robert Watson, and his son Andrew. After a stiff pull against a strong ebb tide, the drowning men were reached and taken on board the fishermen's yawl, and then conveyed to H.M.S. Dominion. The whale-boat was afterwards picked up by a picket boat and towed to the Dominion.
About mid-day on Tuesday five bluejackets had narrow escapes from drowning and were rescued by fishermen. A whale-boat from H.M.S. Dominion, with five men on board, when approaching their ship was struck by a sudden squall. The boat was immediately capsized, and the men thrown into the water. The accident was unobserved from the Dominion, and it would have gone hard with men in the rough sea had no one gone to their assistance. Fortunately the mishap was observed by two fishermen, Robert Watson, and his son Andrew. After a stiff pull against a strong ebb tide, the drowning men were reached and taken on board the fishermen's yawl, and then conveyed to H.M.S. Dominion. The whale-boat was afterwards picked up by a picket boat and towed to the Dominion.
Highland News - Saturday 16 October 1909
BLACK ISLE NEWS.
CROMARTY-.—A gallant rescue from drowning of five bluejackets occurred at Cromarty on Wednesday. One of H.M.S. Dominion's boats, when approaching vessel, was struck by a squall and capsized, the sailors being immersed. The accident was unobserved on board the Dominion. but two fishermen—Robert Watson and his son Andrew—pulled out against a strong ebb tide and in a rough sea. They reached and rescued the blue jackets, two of them in a very exhausted condition
BLACK ISLE NEWS.
CROMARTY-.—A gallant rescue from drowning of five bluejackets occurred at Cromarty on Wednesday. One of H.M.S. Dominion's boats, when approaching vessel, was struck by a squall and capsized, the sailors being immersed. The accident was unobserved on board the Dominion. but two fishermen—Robert Watson and his son Andrew—pulled out against a strong ebb tide and in a rough sea. They reached and rescued the blue jackets, two of them in a very exhausted condition
