Coast

[trinkie]

Did anyone watch Coast the other night ?
They went from Dublin to Belfast to London Derry and of course passed Dundrum Bay where the SS Gt Britain was grounded in 1846. I got so excited waiting for a mention of James Bremner - but nothing ! I get so cross when this man is ignored all the time, were it not for him there would be no SS Gt Britain.
I must write to Neil Oliver at the BBC.

[trinkie]

This programme may not have been shown in Scotland yet -
so you dont know what I'm on about.
However, I have had several emails from friends all wondering who James Bremner was !
Shame on all you Caithnessians !
James Bremner was born in Keiss 1784

He became a Ship builder, and Wreck Raiser - his is an exciting story, but here I'll stick to his contact with the SS Gt Britain.
That ship grounded at Dundrum Bay, Ireland, on her maiden trip. Brunel who had built her was at a loss. For months they tried to raise the ship at great cost. By this time James Bremner was known for his skill in raising wrecks and was called. He went to Ireland with his son Alexander and all his salvage appliances - folk around smiled and wondered !
The rest is history - and after repairs the Gt Britain was able to continue on her journey.

a local hero if ever there was .
trinkie