Eyemouth disaster

Memorial in Eyemouth depicting a broken sailing mast made from granite

The Eyemouth disaster was a severe European windstorm that struck the southern coast of Scotland, United Kingdom, specifically Berwickshire, on 14 October 1881. 189 fishermen died, most of whom were from the village of Eyemouth. Many citizens of Eyemouth call the day Black Friday.

Casualties

• Eyemouth - 129
• Burnmouth - 24
• Newhaven - 17
• Cove - 11
• Fisherrow in Musselburgh - 7
• Coldingham Shore - 3

Some boats that had not capsized were wrecked on the Hurkar Rocks. Two days later, the Ariel Gazelle turned up in Eyemouth; it had braved the storm instead of fleeing.

Aftermath

Memorial at St Abbs, consisting of bronze figures of women and children looking at the sea

A donation-led relief fund was established to provide financial security to families who had lost members to the storm. The response was significant, bringing in over £50,000 (over £4 million in 2005 currency).

See also

• Moray Firth fishing disaster

References

• Peter Aitchison. Children of the Sea: The Story of the People of Eyemouth. Tuckwell Press Ltd, 2001.

Further reading

• "Black Friday" by Peter Aitchison {Birlinn Press, 2006}
• "The Boy Who Came Ashore" by Alan Gay (Dreadful Night Press, 2006)

External links

• The Eyemouth Disaster - Black Friday
• The Eyemouth Disaster of 1881
• Listing of Individuals who Perished