119 years ago next month, the whole male population of Pabbay, near Mingulay, was wiped out in a fishing tragedy
104 years ago this year Mingulay was abandoned
This week, three fishermen died off Mingulay
The funeral took place this afternoon of fisherman Christopher Morrison of Leverburgh, Harris. He died a week ago when his fishing boat, the Louisa (SY 30), sank for reasons as yet unknown. Two other crewmen also perished, Martin Johnston of Caithness and the skipper, Paul Alliston, who is still missing. In the small community of the Western Isles, this has struck a hammerblow. The residents of Uist and Barra are scouring the coastlines of their islands to look for the missing man. It could so easily have been one of them, their son, father, uncle or nephew. It could so easily have been they themselves.
In Dutch literature, there is a famous quote by Herman Heijermans, from his play "The Good Hope" [Op Hoop van Zegen]
* For those in peril on the seas *
The fish is dearly bought
* For those in peril on the seas *
Oh, Guido! It is heartbreaking! Farmers, cattlemen, and such don't face the perils one does who harvests our food from the seas. Definitely a career for the adventurous and brave of heart.
ReplyDeleteRevisit the Tender Years with me during the #AtoZChallenge at Life & Faith in Caneyhead!