In the summer edition of “Coontin Kin,” the magazine of the Shetland Family History Society, historian Alan Beattie – whose own family links span several generations of local shipping – explores the Society’s unique contribution to Shetland’s seafaring heritage.

Responding to Tragedy

The hazardous nature of fishing and shipping has shaped Shetland’s story for centuries, with tragic losses in the 19th and early 20th centuries leaving deep scars on the islands. In 1839, moved by such disasters, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society (now known simply as the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society) was launched to provide practical relief and comfort to those left behind. From the beginning, Shetland was included among the far-flung outposts supported by the Society’s growing network of voluntary agents.

By the late 1840s, hundreds of Shetland mariners proudly carried their Society medallions – tokens of membership sometimes worn around the neck for identification if disaster struck. The local agents were often postmasters, merchants or ship agents – trusted figures who maintained subscriptions, administered relief, and corresponded with London on behalf of those in need. Legendary island names resound through the records: William Rae Duncan, Lerwick postmaster and the first resident Shetland agent, later followed by Joseph Leask and the local shipping firm Hay & Co.

Lifelines in Action

The Society’s impact is captured in remarkable stories from newspaper archives. In 1840, a Shetland fishing boat, blown off course by a gale, survived a harrowing 36-hour ordeal before landing, exhausted, on the coast of Norway. With the help of the British Consul and, crucially, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, the crew were clothed, fed and made their way home. In other cases, the Society responded rapidly to support widows and orphans, as seen when two boats were lost on a July day in 1842, leaving dozens of dependents.

By the late 19th century, agents in Shetland were distributing thousands of pounds in grants at a time when the local membership could only raise a fraction of the sum – evidence of the Society’s broad charitable reach. Typical support included annual grants to widows and children, help for elderly parents, and funds for men stranded or injured far from home.

A Living Legacy

Archival ledgers in Shetland still preserve poignant glimpses of the Society’s influence: lists of members, records of appeals and relief provided, and names of donors who rallied to the cause. Alan Beattie’s article highlights these precious sources and testifies to the Society’s vital role not only in providing material support, but in knitting together the maritime community in times of hardship.

That tradition continues today. Last year we received nearly 900 new applications for assistance, and distributed grants amounting to £1.4 million in over 2,000 cases of need.

With heartfelt thanks to Alan Beattie and the Shetland Family History Society for sharing this chapter of mutual history. The full article is available in the latest issue of “Coontin Kin.” Shetlanders and all whose lives have been shaped by the sea can take pride in the legacy of kindness and solidarity that endures through the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society to this day.

For more about the Society’s ongoing work, or to discover how you can support seafarers in distress, please visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk.

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The King has approved the appointment of Admiral Sir George Zambellas GCB, DSC, ADC, DL, as Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports, in succession to Lord Boyce.

Sir George was educated at Stowe School and Southampton University and was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1980. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1982, flying with the Fleet Air Arm, to Commander in 1994 and Captain in 1999.

In 2001, he received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) following operations in Sierra Leone. In 2002, Sir George was made Commodore and was appointed Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Defence Staff, serving Admiral Boyce and General Walker, before command of the UK Amphibious Force, and the UK Maritime Force.

He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 2011, and to Admiral in 2012 as NATO Maritime Commander and UK Commander in Chief. He was appointed KCB in 2012 and became First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in 2013. In the 2016 New Years Honours he was appointed GCB.

Beyond his commercial career in small hi-tech companies, he holds charitable positions, as an Elder Brother of Trinity House, in the White Ensign Association, the VC and GC Association, The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, the Navy Wings Trust and the Fly Harrier Trust. He is Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State.

The office of Lord Warden and Admiral, now ceremonial in nature, was once one of the most powerful in England. It was a vital link between the Crown and ports on the South-East coast which provided a fleet to serve successive Kings for 500 years before the foundation of the Royal Navy. Recent holders of the office have included Sir Winston Churchill (1941-1965) and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1978-2002). Sir George is only the third Admiral to have held the office during its 800 year history.

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The One Hundred and Eighty First Annual General Meeting of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society will this year be held online on Tuesday, 6^th October 2020.

Further details and a link to view proceedings will be posted in due course.

Chief Executive, Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TL

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The One Hundred and Eightieth Annual General Meeting of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society will be held at Fishmongers’ Hall, London Bridge EC4 on Tuesday 1^st October 2019 at 1200.

Members and friends of the Society wishing to attend should notify The Chief Executive at Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TL

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The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, is calling on the public and seafaring community to submit their personal memories, stories and historical recollections, either through images, poems or prose, that best represent what the maritime and seafaring community means to them.

Entitled Shipwrecked One Eighty, the Society will create a ‘catalogue’ of 180 submissions to mark its anniversary, celebrating the history of the UK’s maritime community since the charity was formed in 1839.

Entrants can submit their personal contributions, whether a memory, image, story, poem or place by visiting the Society’s website or by using the hashtag #Shipwrecked180 on social media.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “As the Society reaches the auspicious landmark of 180-years-service, we’re celebrating by commemorating the people, places and stories that have contributed to the merchant maritime and fishing communities we’ve supported throughout our history.

“In this respect, we’re doing a 180-degree turn back to reflect on the past; to remember and embrace the people, places and indomitable character that have made the maritime community what it is today.

“We want to hear from people about the things that reflect and have helped shape the maritime community over the past 180 years, whether they be childhood memories, family members who have worked at sea, inspirational pieces of literature or the places that mean the most to them.”

The winning entrants will receive a commemorative certificate and selection of Shipwrecked Mariners merchandise, while all contributors will enjoy the satisfaction of encapsulating their memories along with helping raise the profile of a charity that continues its vital work supporting those from what is a mostly forgotten and ignored sector of society:  our fishermen, merchant mariners and their families who are suffering hardship.  In many cases the Shipwrecked mariners’ Society is their only source of help in times of distress.

To find out more and to submit contributions, please visit https://shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/shipwrecked-one-eighty/.

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The visit gave the Lord Mayors an opportunity to meet the Society’s Chief Executive, Captain Justin Osmond RN, as well as staff, enabling them to be briefed on the Society’s history and visit its seasonal Christmas card shop.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Lee Mason, said: “The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society carries out such important work within the maritime industry and it is an absolute pleasure to have been appointed as ex-officio Vice-President earlier this year.

“It has been extremely enjoyable to visit Chichester today to meet the Society’s staff and volunteers and further understand the history and ongoing activity of the charity. Following this visit I am excited for what the future holds, and I sincerely look forward to playing a part in it.”

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, Councillor David Down, said: “Since my appointment earlier this year I have been really keen to keep up with everything the Society has been doing to ensure it is providing the necessary support to our seafarers  – including the work of its volunteers in Blyth and North and South Shields.

“Today, however, I have been able to get right into the heart of the charity and in doing so, have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the hard-working staff and volunteers here, who do a tremendous job in promoting the charity and helping those in need each and every year.”

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Chief Executive, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “We are delighted to have been able to welcome both Councillor Mason and Councillor Down to Chichester, so we could provide real first-hand insight into this historic charity and to demonstrate our pleasure in having them on board.

“We’ve had a really positive year, so it is especially pleasing to be able to share our activity with the Lord Mayors and look forward in earnest to what 2019 has to bring.”

Earlier this month, the Society marked the hundredth anniversary of the Armistice with a video, remembering more than 17,000 Merchant Seaman and Fishermen that lost their lives during WW1. The video recognises the admirable endurance and sacrifice of the men of the Mercantile Marine and Fishing Fleets in WW1, which saved the nation from starvation. During the conflict, the charity assisted some 52,000 sailors.

To view the charity’s online Christmas card and gift shop, go to https://www.christmas-cards.org.uk/shipmariners/

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The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society recently received a very interesting enquiry from Mr Bill Diack, a great grandson of Mrs Jane Whyte, who, as a 40-year old mother of 9, was responsible for saving the crew from the homeward bound Dundee steamship William Hope at Aberdour beach, near Fraserburgh, in 1884.   Mr Diack informed us he knew his great grandmother received £5 from the Society in recognition of her bravery that year and he asked if we had any records mentioning her actions and her award.  Such a fascinating and remarkable act of heroism was well worth investigating and after searching through the archives we were delighted to let Bill know that yes, we had indeed found mention, by way of the following extract from the Society’s minute book dated Friday November 21^st 1884 detailing Jane Whyte’s ‘’act of heroism’’,

Under the head of General Proceedings Correspondence, the Secretary submitted Documents reported as follows-

Correspondence dated Nov 10^th, with Harbour Master at Rosshearty, and the Society’s Honorary Agent at Fraserburgh in regard to an “act of heroism” as recorded in the Public Press, by Mrs Whyte, wife of a local Farm-Servant, on occasion of wreck of the SS “ William Hope” of Dundee, in Aberdour Bay, where, during a gale on Oct 28^th, Mrs Whyte courageously exposed herself to great danger in securing rope for rescue of the crew of 6 men, all told, and subsequently housing and humanely providing for the poor fellows – in recognition of which most praiseworthy services The Honorarium of the sum of £5 was unanimously awarded her.

The full story about Jane Whyte can be found here along with press coverage detailing the events and information about a storyboard being erected by the local community council detailing Jane Whyte’s heroic actions.

A memorial plaque can also be found on the site of her croft.   The 100th anniversary of Jane Whyte’s passing will be this August.

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Charity chief executive, Commodore Malcolm Williams CBE RN, has retired from the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society after 14 years at the helm.

At an afternoon event hosted in his honour at the Charity’s Chichester headquarters and attended by Charity staff and local volunteers, Commodore Williams was presented with the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Admiral of the Fleet Sir Julian Oswald Award by the Society’s Chairman, Captain Nigel Palmer OBE MNM, in recognition of his services.

Reflecting on his tenure at the Society, Malcolm said: “It has been a great privilege for me to have led and represented a charity that has played such an important role in alleviating need among retired and working fishermen, merchant seafarers, and their dependants, and has been doing so for the last 179 years.

“In that time many aspects of our country and the way we live have changed greatly, and while the range of risks faced by those who earn their living at sea may have changed too, the basics have not. The demands on physical stamina and the perils of being at sea in all weathers still mean seafaring is inherently dangerous.”

In the last year the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has paid out a total of £1.4M in over 2,000 cases of need – over 1,500 being regular beneficiaries whose circumstances necessitate on-going financial support.  The Charity also received nearly 500 new applications for assistance, demonstrating the vulnerability of those from this often-neglected sector of society, leaving retirees and their families combating long term consequences.

Commodore Williams and his wife, Sally, live in Southsea and Malcolm is now looking forward to spending time with his family, pursuing his passion for painting and enjoying the good life on his allotment.

The Charity has appointed Captain Justin Osmond RN as its new chief executive with Captain Osmond taking immediate responsibility for its activities, including the Society’s Skill & Gallantry Awards, which it has been presenting since 1851 for heroism at sea, and the annual maritime photographic competition, which launches in June.  Over the coming months he will also be meeting many of the Society’s national volunteer network of over 180 Honorary Agents.

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National maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, is calling on members of the maritime and rescue communities to nominate those who have demonstrated outstanding courage and expertise in aiding those in peril at sea, for its 167th Skill and Gallantry Awards.

Since 1851, the Society has presented the awards to those who have shown bravery and skill in rescues at sea and this year’s awards will be presented at the charity’s AGM in October.

Among last year’s recipients were Captain Patrik Norrgård, for the rescue of a seven-man crew from a sinking ship in the Dover Traffic Separation Scheme and Captain Jamie Wilson for his role in the rescue of over 900 migrants in the Mediterranean.

Captain Patrik Norrgård & Captain Marek Rowinski

Founded after the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats in 1839, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society provides financial support to individuals in need who have worked, or are still working at sea in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, as well as their dependants. Last year the Society distributed more than £1.4m in grants in over 2,000 cases of need and it received 565 new applications for assistance.

Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “Our Skill and Gallantry Awards help to raise awareness of the professionalism, courage and selflessness that our seafarers and rescue crews demonstrate in keeping others, whether they be maritime professionals or members of the public, safe from the dangers of the sea.

“The Society has been presenting these awards for 167 years and once again we are calling for nominations for those who have acted with skill and gallantry in rescuing those in peril at sea so that we, and the wider community, can acknowledge their tremendous efforts.”

The Society is calling for nominations of acts of rescue that took place between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018. To submit a nomination for this year’s Skill and Gallantry Awards, contact:

Justin Osmond, Chief Executive

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, 1 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TL

Tel: 01243 789329

general@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

The closing date for nominations is 12 noon, Friday 4 May 2018.

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Whilst we had no documents that we could find – perhaps due to very lengthy time lapse – that confirm our ‘rights’, we were happy to extend permission.

We have now been advised that the cure and commonplace books of Lady Augusta Murray (ref GEO/ADD/51) are now available online.

If you click on the reference number ‘GEO/ADD/51’, you will be able to see all of the volumes in a list and select the ones of most interest.

The information regarding Lady Murray’s life is fascinating and we encourage you to ‘take a look’.

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