NON-FOOTBALL STORIES 1880

While looking through old documents, it is almost inevitable that the reader's attention will be drawn from the intended target to other articles. The reports below were found in old Ardrossan and Saltcoats Heralds. Although they have no football content, they may be of interest.

SAD DISASTER LIFEBOAT UPSET - FOUR MEN DROWNED
Not since the loss of the steamer Chusan in the great gale of October 1874, has so sad a disaster occurred at Ardrossan Harbour as that which took place on Monday morning last (1 March 1880). Sabbath was by no means stormy, but towards evening a gale which blew in fitful squalls of great violence sprung up and about midnight it had reached its climax. A few, but only a few in Ardrossan, whose sleep was broken by the storm, were aware that a ship's crew were in danger of their lives only a mile and a half off and that the lifeboat's men had gone to the rescue. But so it was and there would have been congratulation and thanksgiving had the rescue been affected without loss of life. But the gallant attempt to save life, by misadventure was only partially successful, two of those who had gone out in their noble mission of life saving returned not alive, and, with two of the crew, found death within sight of friends and home.
    A boat went curtseying over the billows
    Long I looked for the lads she bore
    On the open desolate sea
    And I think they sailed to the heavenly shore
    For they came not back to me
    Poor fellows! They met death in the path of duty
    But this deed of theirs shall long be remembered in Ardrossan and live

        Written on the various pages of the past in rosy characters of love
The barque Matilda Hillyards of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 600 tons burthen, Mr John Anderson, master, from Dieppe for Ardrossan, with a cargo of chalk on board as ballast, intending to take in a cargo of iron for the States, made for Ardrossan harbour (shown right in the early 1900s) between eleven and twelve o'clock on Sabbath evening (29 February 1880). At this time the night was bleak and dirty, the wind blowing in stiff gusts from west-south-west and Captain Steele, harbour master, with the pilots and others, were on the lookout for vessels that might require assistance. They observed the Matilda Hillyards when she was three or four miles from shore, flash lights asking for assistance and the signal was returned. Steps were at once taken to have the vessel safely stowed when she came in. Although a considerable sea was running, no danger was expected from the attempt to enter the port but the vessel was watched carefully and, as she came on in the direction of the Horse Island, she was seen suddenly to haul her head to the north or north west. This was done evidently for the purpose of keeping the ship clear of the rocks, but the movement was unsuccessful and in a short time afterwards, to the horror of the onlookers at the harbour, the vessel drove on the island. Captain Steele, immediately on seeing what had occurred, gave orders for the lifeboat, the Fair Maid of Perth, to be launched and despatched a man to call out the crew. He also instructed that the harbour tug, the Terrier, should be got in readiness to tow the lifeboat to the distressed ship. The crew of the lifeboat responded promptly to the summons and the boat was launched and manned by about half-past twelve o'clock, the crew consisting of thirteen hands, under the command of Mr William Breckenridge, coxswain. The lifeboat was, without loss of time, taken in tow by the Terrier and both proceeded to the scene of the wreck. On getting to the windward of the island the lifeboat was let go and the tug returned to the assistance of the brig Alexandria, which, as we have said, was at anchor off the mouth of the harbour and in a somewhat dangerous position. Meanwhile, the lifeboat pulled round the island to the wreck which was lying on the east side of the rocks but it was found impossible to board her on account of the height to which she had been driven on the rocks and the roughness of the sea. The lifeboat thereupon returned to the lea of the island and finding a favourable sound for landing, a portion of the crew succeeded in getting ashore, it being hoped to reach the ship in this way. So soon as the men had landed on the island, they scrambled across the rocks to where the ship was lying and proceeded, with the assistance of lines which they took with them from the boat, to establish communication with the crew of the ill-fated ship. These movements, it will easily be understood, could not be seen from the harbour and as the hours were fleeting rapidly without any intelligence coming from the wreck and the storm was increasing in violence, some anxiety was felt for the safety of the lifeboat and its gallant crew. The tug, which was in charge of Mr Robert Bannatyne, accordingly left the harbour and sailed round the island and at first nothing could be heard or seen of the lifeboat. A whistle was blown on board the steamer and, in answer two lights were shown from the island, the signals being so far satisfactory as indicating the safety of the crew. Mr Bannatyne returned to the harbour and reported what had been seen. The vessel, it was also ascertained, had been driven a considerable distance up on the rocks by the force of the waves of the advancing tide, that the fore and main masts had gone by the board and that the sea was making clear breeches over the hull. On the return of the tug from the wreck, a consultation took place between the harbour-master and the tug as to whether it would be advisable to proceed once more to the island and to take with them a rowing boat, in order, if possible, to render assistance to the crew of the life boat but as the storm had become even worse that it was before, it was deemed advisable to postpone such an effort till daylight had arrived. In the meantime, arrangements were made for the expedition so soon as it could be undertaken with safety. The harbour boat, a heavy craft of some eighteen feet keel, was made fast to the stern of the tug and a crew of four men volunteered their services to man the boat, these consisting of two of the hands of the steamer Brodick Castle (James McMillan and James Leitch) and two harbour workmen (Patrick McKie and Edward Maloy). The steamer left the harbour between six and seven o'clock and on reaching the lea of the island comparatively smooth water was found. The four volunteers, who sailed out in the tug, then leapt into the harbour boat and without much difficulty they pulled into the sound where the lifeboat was lying in safety. They found that the crew of the vessel, consisting of twelve men had been landed on the island. This had been accomplished in a very praiseworthy manner. Communication was first established with the vessel by means of a small line and afterwards a large Manilla line was made fast. The men were dragged across this line to the island but in the exposed situation in which the operations were conducted the work was one of no small difficulty. When everything was in readiness for leaving the island, the rescued men took their seats in the lifeboat, which then contained twenty-five souls and the coxswain gave the order to proceed to the tug which was lying-to in the lea of the island. The steamer was reached in safety and the two boats were made fast, the lifeboat to the tug, having a line of fifteen or twenty fathoms and the harbour boat, whose crew were taken on board the tug, to the lifeboat. In this order, the crafts made for the harbour, their movements being watched with intense interest from the shore. The news of the wreck had spread rapidly among the inhabitants and, early as the hour was, large crowds were assembled on the various quays. Mr Bannatyne for a considerable distance steered his vessel so as to keep the lifeboat as much as possible head on to the furious sea and when he had reached about half way across the bay he changed his course in order to gain the harbour but endeavouring in the changed direction to keep the lifeboat stern on to the waves. The danger of running through a beam sea appears to have been quite recognised. All went well till the boats were about 400 yards from the pier-head, when three tremendous seas struck the lifeboat with the result that she capsized and flung her twenty-five occupants into the boiling sea. Great excitement immediately seized upon the onlookers and the excitement was mingled with amazement that the lifeboat, as was expected she would, did not right herself. The majority of the immersed men succeeded in clinging to the upturned boat. Two or three got onto the keel, a number seized the gunwale and ropes which were attached to it and several scrambled on board the harbour boat, which withstood the seas that upset the lifeboat. Five others were less fortunate and four of these perished. The mate and second mate of the Belfast steamer, North Eastern, lying in the harbour, with the assistance of Captain Steele and others, immediately lowered the lifeboat of that vessel and the two seamen first mentioned and two men who were at hand leapt into it and proceeded to the assistance of the struggling men. This boat succeeded in picking up two of the crew of the lifeboat who floated by means of their lifebelts, but both were in a very exhausted state. No others with the exception of those who were clinging to the life and harbour boats, were seen and the boat returned to the harbour. The two men picked up were Alexander Brodie and William Grier and when they landed every effort was put forth to ensure their revival. Brodie soon recovered but in the case of William Grier, who was very far gone, if life was not altogether extinct when he was brought ashore, the means employed, first by the harbour-master and others and afterwards by one of the doctors of the town, to produce animation failed. In the meantime, the life and harbour boats had been slowly towed into the harbour, where the crews were speedily rescued from their perilous positions. Most of the men were in a very benumbed and exhausted condition but every one of the onlookers seemed more anxious than another to render them assistance and all were comfortably housed in a short time. The ship-wrecked crew were taken to the Eglinton Arms Hotel (shown right in the 1960s) and several of the more exhausted of the lifeboat men were attended to in the nearest places to which they could be conveyed. Mr William Breckenridge, coxswain of the lifeboat, states: The lifeboat was towed out near to the barque by the tug. After the tug dropped us, we ran down past the barque and observing that she was high up on the rocks and that it would be dangerous to go alongside, we ran the lifeboat into the sound of the island, making her fast with a bower anchor. Six hands went on the island and an attempt was made to get communication with the vessel. We spoke to those onboard, instructing them how to act. We told them to stay on board till ebb water, as the ship was keeping together. The mainmast of the vessel was standing when we passed her but it was gone two minutes after. The foremast was cut away. When on the island we burned six blue lights, but two did not go off. It was a nasty place. Communication was obtained with the vessel by means of a small line at first. Afterwards a large Manilla line was passed out to the vessel and fastened to the rocks on the island. The men were all dragged across the rope and landed on the island. When the tug came out we had just got the men all ashore and were getting ready to go into the lifeboat. The tug, which was lying to leeward of the island, came and took us in tow. There was a proposal made that we should get into the tug. I think that would have been a prudent course to have adopted. After getting fast to the tug, the lifeboat behaved well till inside the Crinan Rock. There was a heavy sea and the lifeboat was nearly under the tug's quarter. When the tugboat went ahead the rope tightened and the lifeboat capsized before we had time to think of anything. The water came over the starboard side and the lifeboat turned right over. All the men were thrown into the water. A number of the men hung on to both sides of the lifeboat. She never righted. All the hatches were closed and she should have righted as everything had been done to ensure that. William Grier and Alexander McEwan, the two men who were lost from the lifeboat, did their duty nobly both on the island and in the lifeboat, while all the other members of the crew did their best to save life. We were on the island from one o'clock till about 7 am, keeping up constant communication with the barque. Robert Bannatyne, master of the harbour tug Terrier, states: Between twelve and one o'clock we took the lifeboat in tow out to the barque, letting her go a little ahead of the ship to drive down upon her with her anchor. We then left and came back to the harbour, taking in the brig Alexandria. We then proceeded to the Horse Island, went close to the barque and hailed her. We heard some persons calling and disonting, but could not make out what they said. We thought they said "all right" and we then returned to the harbour again. About four o'clock, we proceeded round the Horse Island and getting to its lee side, with the view of getting communication with the lifeboat, which we thought had got lost, because we had not heard nor seen anything of her. We sounded the whistle and they showed us two blue lights. We got no communication and heard nothing, only we knew they were all on the island, from which the two blue lights were shown. We came back to the harbour and reported what we had seen. It was not known whether the barque's crew were on the island along with the lifeboat crew or not. Mr Craig and the Harbourmaster Captain Steele, who were anxious and doing all in their power to see that everything was right, suggested that a boat should be towed out in order to get some communication with the lifeboat. About 6 am we took the pilot in tow and four men along with us to man her. We towed her into smooth water in the lee of the island where the four men went ashore. At this time we could see the men coming from the barque towards the lifeboat. When the lifeboat left the island we went towards her, taking her and the pilot boat in tow. The four men did not remain in the pilot boat, but came on board the tug again. I was getting the ropes ready to tow the boats and there was no one said they would go in the tug. I understood no one wanted to go in the tug. I requested the mate of the Arran boat and one of the men to take charge of the helm while I went forward to see that the tug was kept clear of the rocks. Being forward, I did not see the lifeboat capsise. After the lifeboat capsised, I came aft and said we should go on slow, because we were so close to shore there was no need to stop. The boat did not come right and we towed her into the harbour bottom up, the men clinging to her. The sea was extraordinary heavy in the early part of the morning. Another eye witness says: At a quarter past seven in the morning, during the prevalence of a gale from the south-west, I noticed the boats that went out to the wreck to leeward of the island. They were then making for the harbour. Everything went well till they were midway between the island and the pier. Then, as the steamer was about to go to windward of the half-tide rocks, she drew up to the south-west in order the better to be clear of the broken water. The lifeboat was then in tow astern and would not answer her helm very cleverly and so she put her shoulder into the sea - the pilot boat being still astern - or filled. There was a heavy sea running and much broken water at the time. This caused her to capsise and the whole of the crew of the lifeboat and the saved mariners who were in her, were thrown into the water. The men hung onto her, evidently thinking she would right herself instantly, which should have been the case with a boat of her class. Under the most adverse circumstances, everyone scrambled for bare life. Most of the men succeeded in getting hold of the life lines on her side which run round the boat and succeeded in climbing onto the keel. In this way, they were towed into the harbour, sometimes more under than above water. Some of the men holding on to the life lines were coming in tow of the tug, head down. Two of the men - Brodie and Grier - were found floating, in their life jackets, by a boat put out from the North Eastern, who manned that vessels lifeboat and went out and picked up these two men. Brodie came round but Grier expired shortly after he was taken into the boat. Two of the sailors, the steward and another man, were lost in the casualty. McEwan was got floating out from the pier about an hour afterwards. An eye witness of what transpired overnight, till the close of the catastrophe, says:-About a quarter past one, on Monday morning, I was awakened by the storm. At that time it was blowing pretty stiff and I was curious enough to take a look out of my window which faces the north shore. In and about the harbour, there was a mixture of red, green and white lights which proved to be those of the brig Alexandria and the tug. I also observed a white light towards the south end of the Horse Island. This however, did not excite my attention at the time as I thought it was that of a steamer going up the Clyde. After watching it for a short time and not seeing it move, it occurred to me that it might be that of a vessel on the island. Lifting an opera-glass, I looked towards the light and could make out the loom of what I took to be a large vessel. I did not then think of going out and returned to bed. I did not sleep, however, but watched the light and about two o'clock observed two flash lights and then saw the tug go out. I could not rest, so got up, dressed and went out. As I past the slip at the fish market, I observed the carriage of the lifeboat in the water and knew that she had gone out. When I got down to the Arran boat's berth, the tug had just come in. The crew, on being questioned, said they had heard voices on the island and supposed they cried out, "All right". They had a doubt to this however. The master of the tug, who had got his face badly cut by the towing hauser of the lifeboat, went home to have it dressed. It was deemed necessary that the tug should go out again as soon as he had had this operation performed as no sign from the lifeboat had been obtained for a considerable time and it was feared she might have come to grief among the rocks. In the interval, one of the coastguardsmen was dispatched to send up a rocket and a blue light was burned at the Pilot-house. Neither of these signals was answered. The master of the tug having returned, her lines were let go and she steamed out. This would be about four o'clock. As she passed the old pier, a very heavy squall came away. I think it blew then and for half an hour afterwards, harder than at any other part of the night. The tug proceeded round the island by the south end and 'came to' off the north end. In reply to her steam whistle, a lantern was shown from the north end and two blue lights were burned from the 'spire.' The tug then returned on the same course as she had gone out. She came into berth and the crew reported. They had heard nothing. They were of opinion, though, that the ship's crew had not yet got ashore. This conjecture afterwards proved correct. It was then suggested and agreed to that the tug should tow out the pilot, or some other boat and that men should go on board the tug to row the boat ashore, when they reached quiet water. The tug had to be coaled first, both as the coals were needed and also for ballast, as the master was afraid she mightcapsize, she being so light. The coaling took up a considerable time and it was about half past six ere she was in trim for starting again. She left the harbour about a quarter to seven with the pilot boat in tow and proceeded inside the Crinan Rock to the north end of the island. Having got into comparatively smooth water, four men got into the pilot boat and rowed ashore. A considerable crowd had by this time collected on the old pier and the proceedings were watched with intense interest. The crew of the ship had just been landed on the island and they along with the lifeboat crew, proceeded towards that part of the beach where the pilot boat had gone in and where the lifeboat also lay at anchor. About a quarter past seven, the pilot boat pulled off to the tug and her hands were taken on board. She was closely followed by the lifeboat and the tug having passed a hawser on board she was taken in tow, the pilot boat being astern of her. The tug went towards the south for three or four hundred yards and then put about and stood in towards the Long Craigs, for about the same distance, when she was headed for the harbour. Meantime the lifeboat and pilot boat had been following her all right and remarks were made on the quay how well the former was behaving. When the tug, however was for the harbour, she would not follow, her rudder being seemingly useless, as she was going along on the crest of a large wave, I was afraid at one time that she was to be dashed against the tug. Having sunk in the hollow of a wave, her rudder seemed to take effect and she was coming round. Just as she was doing so, another wave caught her and carried her to leeward and her hawser tightening and the next wave, a broken one, catching her on the quarter just at that moment, in an instant, she was overturned and all on board were thrown into the water. The tug had stopped and this gave the men an opportunity of laying hold of the lifeboat, which remained bottom up. Three poor fellows had, however dropped astern and those on board the tug, seeing they could do nothing to assist them, did in my opinion, the best thing they could have done, namely steamed ahead. So sudden had been the catastrophe, that those on the pier for a moment did not seem to realise it. When they did, the excitement was beyond bounds. The wives of the lifeboat men who had come on the pier wrung their hands in grief and the crowd showed their sympathy by using all the means available, which alas, were few, to rescue the drowning men. A lifeboat was promptly launched from the North Eastern and five brave men - Mr Charles Adair, pilot along with Messrs Bell, Todd, Arthur Spencer, Henry Cope and George Fergusson, the second mate - pulled out to lend what aid they could. I saw them pick up one man and the lifeboat, having passed into the harbour, I waited no longer, but went along the shore thinking I might be of assistance if any of the men whom I had seen in the water came ashore alive. I was closely followed by a number of men. I proceeded to the Long Craigs (shown right in 2010) and on looking back saw a man struggling in the water, waving his hand. This man I think was McEwen. Two men were up to the neck, expecting him to come within their reach as he was only a short distance from them. Although they had been swimmers, it would have been madness on their part, in my opinion, to have tried to reach him by swimming, so heavy was the surf. I went along the water line the full length of the Long Craigs, but saw nothing. When I came back the man I had seen in the water had disappeared from my view. He had probably been carried outwards by the tide, which at the time was ebbing. I went home about half past eight, having spent a night full of excitement. Charles Reid, second mate of the Matilda Hillyards, says, in his narrative: The pilot says he saw the ship coming. I replied "Then why did you not come out?". He said he thought we were coming into the harbour. Then he saw us put the helm hard a-starboard and knew we were getting on the lea shore. When the vessel had gone ashore, he went to the harbour-master and reported to him and those on board the tug boat, that the ship was ashore. At that time, we on the vessel made fire and blue lights but had no answer. The ship was labouring heavily all this time. After about two hours had passed we got an answer. Then a steam tug came out with the lifeboats and all they did for a time was to halloo. It was not dangerous for them at this time to come alongside of us. No boat came. The captain then said "We will stick to the ship." and we took his advice. At this time a very heavy storm came on, so that no one could come out to us. Then we heard a noise from the island that we could not understand. The ship all the while, laboured heavily and the men suffered a good deal. As she was 'bumping' and in bad condition, we were thrown about very much. In the morning we went ashore on 'the line.' We had two apparatus on deck for signalling and also a gallon and a half of paraffin oil. We were obliged to leave a line on the island, as they had made no preparations for taking us ashore. We hove a line to them to make fast and we held it tight aboard. They had a 'pluck' on to hold the men and a line to pull them ashore. Two of the crew were the first to land, the second mate was the next and when he (the narrator) set foot on it, he thought it was a glorious haven and thanked God for it. The remainder of the crew and the captain came ashore afterwards. We were then all on the island. At daybreak we were told to get into the lifeboat and at once did so. When in the lifeboat, I thought to myself that there were too many in it. Then looking at the sea before us, I spoke to the chief mate on the subject and he said all was right. We were soon alongside the tug. He took us in tow. Now there was a big sea ahead of us and breakers. The boat went very fast and every sea that came, she went right bow under and I expected every moment she was to be foundered. The captain said the wheel could not keep us straight. He asked for help and I rendered him assistance. All the crew were shouting at him. After we got so far abreast of the Old Harbour, the steamboat went right across us, broadside to the sea and brought the lifeboat to one side and then to the other side of the tow rope and so capsized the lifeboat and we were all thrown into the sea. I then got hold of the gunwale and the stern sheets. One of the lifeboatmen got hold of me by the neck and held me up for five minutes, till I begged him for God's sake to let me go. The sea was washing heavily over me and my hands and body, from the waist down to my extremities, were so benumbed that I begged him for God' sake to let me go. I kept my head collected and saw that the steamer was towing fast on. I was glad when we came to the harbour. There everybody was picked up. I was taken charge of by two men who brought me to the Eglinton Arms Hotel where I soon recovered and in about four hours I was myself again. Mr Charles Adair, on seeing what danger the lifeboat was in, jumped on board the North Eastern and with the assistance of Robert Todd, the knocking away her 'chops' and getting that ship's lifeboat afloat was the work of a minute. These two were accompanied by the mate of the steamer Mr Bell, at one time mate of the barque Jessie Goodwin and Arthur Spencer, Henry Cope and George Fergusson, the mate of the steamship. Five minutes after the Fair Maid had capsized, they were round the pier and made diligent search for any bodies that might be in the water. We kept out towards the boat, those on the pier-head making signs to us what course to steer. I saw Brodie in the water, hailed him and bade him keep up as we would soon be at him. He was motionless when I got hold of him but, with the assistance of another man, he was soon got into the bottom of the boat. But for the oar, which Brodie clung to and which kept his head above water, it is believed he would have perished before he was rescued from peril. We saw another man, some distance off, lying head down and shoulders above water. This turned out to be William Grier. I laid hold of him and drew him up. On getting his head above water, I lifted his hand onto the gunwale of the boat and said "Willie". He made no reply. I then looked into his face. His eyes were staring and still. I kept his head up, thinking there was life in him. But on getting the body aboard we found he was dead. We then 'tacked' in. On going out again, this time with R Todd, George Fergusson, Henry Cope, Arthur Spencer, Isaac Venas and J Lowrie, we searched for a man who was said to have been seen going towards the beach but we found the object mentioned to be a cask. We then made a search for McEwen. While the tide was washing his body out, the surf setting in swept him into the Old Harbour. Life was gone before we met in with him. Adair, who was the oldest man in the boat, says the Belfast men did well, the conduct of the mate being beyond all praise. Todd's conduct and extreme handiness was encouraging. All throughout the search none of the hands spoke above their breath. On Tuesday afternoon, Lieutenant Monteith, Inspector of the Coast Guard force, inspected the lifeboat, and, we understand, pronounced her seaworthy. As his report is not yet made known, it may be well to reserve any opinion regarding the Fair Maid.' We know however that she is regarded with suspicion by local oarsmen who have sat in her and some little expression of opinion was heard as to her qualities outside the circle of examiners by those who say they know her. The experiments took place at the steamboat pier at time of high water. Along with the Inspector were the Honorable Greville Richard Vernon, Lord Eglinton's Commissioner; Commander Boyle, R N; Captain McHardy and a number of townsmen. A rope was put under the boat and she was raised three times by block and tackle and when fairly keel upmost, the rope was disconnected from the crane chain and she seemed to 'sulk' a little and then righted. In the one instance, she did so in twenty and in the others, in from thirty to thirty-five seconds. A very little, one remarked, would have induced her to 'lie still' as she was. We have kindly been furnished with the names of the crew of the ill-fated barque. They are George Anderson; Captain Leytonstowe, Essex; W Herity, Boston, United States; mate Charles Reed, London; second mate John S Hickey, Norwich, Nova Scotia; cook and steward (drowned); Frank Astelfoni, Hamburg, A B; Vincent Luthemburger, Vienna, A B, (drowned); Mark Rubberson, AB; Charles Cele, Norway, A B; Neils Jorgensen, Denmark, A B; Francis Liddle, Cape Town, A B; Peter Johnson, Norway, A.B; Albert Finger, German, A B.
The lifeboat crew were William Breckenridge, coxswain, Edward Moloy, James Leitch, James Findlay, John Templeton, William Grier, Alexander McEwen, Alexander Brodie, James Gillies, Robert McMurtrie, Hugh Crawford, William Robertson, Patrick Doran. The assiduous attention that was paid to the shipwrecked men by Drs Robertson, Gaff and Allan as they were brought ashore, is worthy of very special notice. These gentlemen did there utmost to allay the sufferings of the most exhausted of the rescued men. At a meeting of the local branch of the lifeboat association, held on Tuesday night, a subscription list was opened on behalf of the bereaved families. The Earl of Eglinton has headed the list with a subscription of £50. The unceasing vigilance which was exercised by Mr John Craig, shipping agent, is deserving the highest commendation. He had his hands full night and day, directing operations ashore and attending to the comfort of the shipwrecked mariners. Mr Hugh Hogarth, ship chandler and the Captain of the Reformer rendered good service. The funeral of William Grier and Alexander McEwen took place on Wednesday at half past one and, as both resided in Harbour Lane (shown below left as Herald Street in 2002) and within a few doors of each other, the two companies were united. Long before the mournful cortege moved off, large groups of sympathising friends had gathered in the immediate neighbourhood and as the two hearses slowly took their departure, these were largely multiplied, the countenances of both young and old telling how intensely they were moved at the sight. A large concourse followed the remains to the Ardrossan Cemetery (shown below centre in 2011) and among others we observed Lieutenant Montieth, Royal Navy, Inspector of lifeboats; Mr John Craig, honorary secretary to the National Lifeboat Institution, all the ministers of the town and a large number of its most respectable inhabitants and merchants. Conspicuous among those, too, were the surviving crew of the ill-fated barque, with the Captain, all of whom were paying their last mark of respect for those who had lost their lives through assisting to save those of the wrecked. As the mournful pageant passed up Glasgow Street (shown below right in the early 1900s), the doors and windows of the shops and houses were filled with spectators, all evincing how deeply they felt. The cemetery was at length reached and dust committed to dust and as we took our departure we inwardly mused over the chequered career of the life of our two departed friends, who after braving successfully many a stormy sea and 'life's fitful fever o'er,' now 'sleep well.' At the suggestion of the Lifeboat Association, a subscription on behalf of the bereaved families has been opened, which from the melancholy circumstances of the bereavement, we hope will be liberally responded to.
[We will be pleased to receive and hand over to the Treasurer of the fund any donations our readers may send. - Editor]

            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 6 March 1880

LIFEBOAT SAVES BARQUE NEAR HORSE ISLAND
The barque Bolivia, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia from Limerick in ballast, while about to enter Ardrossan Harbour on Friday night (29 February 1880) during a gale from the west, missed stays and drifted near the Horse Island (shown right in 2011). Two anchors were let go which held the vessel. As the barque was considered to be in danger, the lifeboat was towed out by the harbour tug in order to render assistance. The captain considering the position of the vessel to be perfectly safe, declined the offered aid. She remained at anchor during the night and on Saturday morning was towed into the harbour. She has come to Ardrossan to undergo repairs in the shipbuilding yard of Messrs Barr and Shearer.

            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 6 March 1880

DEATH OF COXSWAIN OF THE LIFEBOAT
Mr William Breckenridge, pilot, who filled the responsible position of coxswain in The Fair Maid Of Perth on the occasion of the recent sad occurrence which resulted in the loss of four lives through the capsising of the boat when being towed from the wreck at the Horse Island towards the harbour, died on Sabbath morning last (28 March 1880). The deceased has, for some time, been suffering from an affection of the chest which his exposure on the island on the night of the shipwreck greatly aggravated then the excitement and drenching which followed the upsetting of the lifeboat aggravated his disease so much that he continued to sink gradually thereafter till the end came. He stood forward at the call of duty, counting not his own life dear, that he might be the means of saving others. His funeral took place on Tuesday (30 March 1880) and was attended by many of our leading townsmen. We trust something more tangible than sympathy may find its way to the home of the bereaved family.
[Letter from a townsman on the deceased next week]
            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 3 April 1880

THE LATE WILLIAM BRECKENRIDGE
Last week we briefly noticed the decease of William Breckenridge, one of the crew of the lifeboat which went out for the crew of the barque, Matilda Hillyards on 1 March. Breckenridge's first recorded service in the Ardrossan lifeboat was on 25 November 1873 assisting the crew of the boat Torrance ashore. The record of that accident bears that he had previously acted four times as a lifeboat man. Since then, he has been out in the boat on every occasion of service, memorably at that of the Chusan (shown right in a print reproduced by kind permission of the copyright holders Illustrated London News / Mary Evans Picture Library and available from www.prints-online.com) in November 1874 when he took charge as coxswain in the then coxswain's absence and managed to save six persons at no little peril to himself and his crew. The captain of the Chusan perished but his lady, who was saved, presented Breckenridge and his crew with a silver medal each in recognition of their services. Appointed second coxswain in November 1874, he succeeded to the post of first coxswain in February 1876 on the retirement of Philips. Since then, his services have been much appreciated by the Inspectors who visited the branch from time to time, one of them, Lieutenant Monteith RN, having recently said that he knew of only one other station in Scotland that could compare with Ardrossan for cleanliness and tidiness. In fact, it was a model station. This said a deal for Breckenridge. He had other duties as a pilot to attend to which necessitated much night work and it would not have been astonishing had the boat and house received less of his attention but his heart was in the boat and he was not one to spare himself. On Friday 27 February last, he had had a day of exposure in taking charge of one of the harbour tugs in assisting to tow to Lamlash in stormy weather two large barques loaded with pig iron. Getting back to Ardrossan at ten o'clock at night, he was called to go out in the lifeboat about midnight and proceeded to the barque Olivia which had anchored in a dangerous position outside the Horse Island but assistance was declined. The service, nevertheless, was a fatiguing one for a tired man like Breckenridge. He had his duties of a pilot to attend to on Saturday and had also to get the lifeboat put on the carriage and housed. Called again near to midnight of the following Sunday evening to the service which proved his last, he hastened to man and take charge of the boat. Reaching the Horse Island, he was one of four who jumped into the middle in water and hurried to the assistance of the crew of the Matilda Hilyard. Cut off by the high tide for two or three hours from either rendering aid or getting back to the lifeboat, he had, with his companions, to make the best of it, wet as they were in the cold spray. Immersed like the rest by the upsetting of the boat, he was in a distressing plight of being assisted ashore and had to be supported home and put to bed, venturing out however on the Wednesday to the funerals of the two men who had been drowned. He joined work as a pilot on the following Monday but had to give up on the Wednesday and take to his bed from which he never rose again. The exposure had brought on congestion of the lungs and this, added to a chronic asthmatic complaint, made his sufferings, which were very prolonged, painful in the extreme but he bore them with much courage and died resigned. His wife and he were much endeared to each other and the bereavement is a very sad one for her and her two little boys. A man ever ready to expose himself to rescue others from danger, he deserves to live in our memories.
            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 10 April 1880

LETTER TO THE EDITOR - BONNET-THROWING AT BICYCLES
Sir
Will you kindly permit me, through the medium of your columns, to call attention to the very bad practice boys here have of throwing their caps at the wheels of passing bicycles to the great danger of both rider and horse as, should any bonnet catch in the spokes, it might result in serious hurt to both. Parents would do well to take heed and cause their children to stop the practice otherwise, in the event of a catastrophe, they may have to pay pretty smartly for it. It was only the other day I had a shower of bonnets thrown at my machine when near the United Presbyterian Church (shown below as the Church of the Nazarene in 2002 and following refurbishment in 2009) though happily none caught. I trust, now that attention has been called to it, that every endeavour will be made to stop the nuisance as without that there is plenty of risk run by the cyclist.
   Ardrossan, 22 April 1880

            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 May 1880

ARDROSSAN SHOPS CLOSE FOR PROVOST WIFE'S FUNERAL
In sympathy with Provost Barr, the shops in Ardrossan were on Wednesday (12 May 1880) closed for an hour on the occasion of the funeral of Mrs Barr which was strictly private.

            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 15 May 1880
Isabella Barr's gravestone in Ardrossan Cemetery is shown above right. The inscription is 'In memory of Isabella McJannet, wife of John Barr, died 7 May 1880, in the 71st year of her age. A more loving and loved wife could not be.'. It is the rightmost of the three gravestones shown above left. The tallest one is for her husband, John Barr, former Provost of Ardrossan and the other is for John Barr's nephew, Matthew Barr Finlay.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR - WRONG SPELLING ON SCHOOL
Sir
On the inscription plate in front of the Ardrossan Public School number two, there stands - and has stood for the last five years - a gross blunder in spelling. The School Board seem to look with disregard on such matters but on account of the scholars and of strangers who make ill-natured remarks, it ought to be corrected without delay.
   Visitor
            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 22 May 1880

ARDROSSAN HORTICULTURAL, AGRICULTURAL AND ORNITHOLOGICAL SHOW
The annual exhibition of this show took place in the Town Hall (shown below in the early 1890s, early 1910s and as the Masonic Hall in 2003) on Thursday last (26 August 1880). On entering the room the first object which met and delighted the eye was a beautifully arranged table ornament by H Ward, Stevenston and which was deservedly ticketed first prize. Mr Ward showed good taste in the combination of his colours in this exhibit and also in the table bouquet. As usual, Mr Clasper, florist was to the front with a splendid assortment of greenhouse plants and pansies. These latter were in good form as were also the dahlias and marigolds but, as a whole, the show of cut and pot flowers was meagre . There was an entire absence of the tall, tapering, graceful plants in the centre of the table which in former years attracted considerable attention and formed a special feature in the exhibition. To make up in a measure, however, for the scarcity of flowers, there were over seventy birds exhibited and this department deservedly received considerable attention. There was a fair show of fruit and, as was to be expected from the favourable weather we have this season had, the field and garden produce show was excellent. The turnips and potatoes in particular were splendid specimens of what Mother Earth can produce when humoured. Mr John Crawford performed the duties of secretary in an able manner and the band, discoursed by Mr A Leckie's quadrille band added not a little to the enjoyment of those present.

            Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 28 August 1880