Wick man's link with Titanic tragedy

[Nwicker60]

Talk will tell how grandad plucked babies from sea

THE courageous role played by a Wick man’s grandfather in the Titanic tragedy, will be retold at an illustrated talk on Wednesday night.
John Cargill was a 19-year-old crewman on the Carpathia which steamed to the aid of the ill-fate liner and helped rescue more than 700 souls from the icy waters of the north Atlantic in April 1912.
The teenager, from Gourdon, in Aberdeenshire, was presented with a bronze medal after he worked through the night plucking men, women and children from the sea, using coal sacks to scoop babies to safety. After he died in 1981, the medal was passed to his grandson, John Henderson, of Henrietta Street, who had always taken a keen interest in the story.
His talk, at the canteen of Caithness General Hospital at 7.30pm, is a fascinating facet of the Titantic tragedy. It is being hosted by Caithness Heart Support Group, of which Mr Henderson is a member. The talk is open to the public and tea and biscuits will be served.
There is no charge but a donation to the group, which raises funds for medical equipment in the county and also acts as a social forum for people with heart problems, would be appreciated.