11 Men Lost at Lybster 12 Jan 1881

[Billnicol]

I don't know if this is the place to post this old poem, but I thought it may be of interest to someone. I found it when going through some of my parents belongings.

LINES ON THE SAD LOSS OF TWO BOATS’ CREWS AT LYBSTER

12th JANUARY 1881

By Geo. J. Henderson, 22 Main Street, Lybster

About the twelfth of January, year Eighteen Eighty-one,
Two Lybster boats went out to sea, describe their fate who can.

How little was it in their mind, Alas! What them befell,
But thought they had got far behind New York’s predicted gale.

Now what happened to them we mourn, description here does fail,
For none of them did e’er return alive to tell the tale.

But perished in the swelling deep, their clothes being washed ashore,
Their friends for them do sadly weep, been seen of them no more.

Those scenes near to Knockinnon tell, the sorrows of that night,
Produced by that terrific gale, no help for them in sight.

Their Boats were swamped at their nets; there was no help at hand,
Those Brave men brought then to death’s gates, and yet so close at hand.

Eleven men, so brave and frank, were then cast in the sea –
Nine of them in deep water sank, we fear some hence to be.

The dust of two were washed ashore, no mortal can tell how –
To see that those men were no more made stout rude hearts to bow.

The funeral of the two young men took place the following day;
Great mourners went along with them, both near and far away.

Their family friends, how sad to see. Little children they did weep;
With them the others did agree, their own still in the deep.

Each mother, wife and child so dear, of these unfortunate crews,
Have got into despair, we fear, by this sad, startling news.

Poor widow Douglas, sad to say, the mother of three sons.
By drowning has been called away, those dear beloved ones.

Brave John and James, sad to lament, they were the best of men,
And Robert, such without restraint we’ll not see soon again.

This man’s heroic deeds so brave, when once at Peterhead,
Saved many from a watery grave, now numbered with the dead.


He leaves a loving wife behind, likewise dear children four,
Let Christian friends to them be kind, if it be in their power.

John Ross who leaves a loving wife, likewise a darling child,
Sore blighted in the bud of life, should providence prove mild.

Munro, who was a seaman brave, he leaves one child and wife,
How sad she mourns untimely grave, and will through all her life.

McPherson was a graceful lad, and to his father kind,
Who is a bedrid invalid, and yet still left behind,

His brother and his sisters too, along with father mourn;
To help the poor there are but few who make up in return.

There’s William Davidson or Gow, who was a pleasant lad –
He all his favours did bestow upon his nurse quite glad.

This Betty Davidson, we hear, from whom he drew his name,
Brought up this child from his first year. Man’s life is but a dream

John Phimister was the oldest man, of that brave-hearted crew,
He mercy showed to any one, when he got such to do.

The second John we sadly mourn, who joyful left his wife –
She little doubted his return, to share new married life.

Just two bare weeks they were together, they loved each other well,
Till death tore them from one another, the cause we cannot tell.

May heaven protect this tired young one, and keep her in her mind,
And may she by her Saviour stand, and friends to her be kind.

George Budge and Alex Henry too, they were two cousins dear –
Such lovely lads, there but few and far between, we fear.

And Henderson a comely youth, who was his parents joy,
Well known for steadiness and truth, since he was quite a boy,

No wonder though each mother dear, does mourn her darling boy,
For when their countenance did appear, their fond hearts filled with joy.

May God in mercy now return to this afflicted coast?
That those who now do weep and mourn their hope may not be lost.

But may be brought to know indeed that God is speaking fast,
And to His warnings sore give heed, and bear in mind the past.

[cuthill]

Would this be about { THE WIDOWS OF CLYTH }

[Skifter]

The tragedy that the "Widows of Clyth" is based on happened in 1876.

[ciderally]

thank you very much xx

[Tricia]

Thanks for the Poem

The sea struck with a vengeance on 12 Jan 1881.
It overwhelmed two boats and took the lives of 11 men from Lybster locality.

The Crew of John Phimister's boat the Margaret WK746 which met her fate of Latheronwheel were John Phimister snr, John Phimister Jnr, George Budge, Alexander Hendry and Robert Henderson - Lybster.

The Crew of James Munro's boat the Lord Nelson were James Munro(Lybster), Brothers Robert and George Douglas(Occumster), John Ross(brother in law to Douglas brothers),
George MacPherson and William Henderson.

WIDOWS of CLYTH reference was 27 Jan 1876 : Documented elsewhere in this site inc
http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=37513

Also same year from Lybster area.
John Douglas brother of above Robert & George drowned 1876
August 1876: John Douglas Occumster drowned Wick Harbour Boat WK627.
Same night John's brother-in-law George Bain, Clyth, perished when his boat Nancy WK1806 foundered south of Wick with loss of Skipper George and crew(4 men from Harris).

Anyone with these families