Longstone Archives - Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 NOVEMBER 1915

SEAHOUSES

Coble in Peril

What might have proved a serious accident occurred to a coble named The Jeannies, owned by Mr George Fawcus, Seahouses, and others. While returning from the fishing ground under sail at about five miles per hour, the coble suddenly struck some submerged wreckage. The wreckage went through two planks, causing the coble to fill in about five minutes. The coble had about 50 stones of fish on board, and but for the fact that it was “air-boxed,” the occupants would probably have been drowned. The accident was witnessed by the coble Briton’s Pride, owned by William Rutter, who at once proceeded to give assistance. Fawcus’ crew of four were taken on board the Briton’s Pride, and they and the damaged coble were safely brought to North Sunderland Harbour. The two crews managed between them to save 20 stones of fish.

Entrance to North Sunderland Harbour, Seahouses. Phil Champion, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

“NORTHUMBRIANS’ OWN DAY.”

LOCAL SOLDIERS AND SAILORS TO BENEFIT

Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland (1880-1930), in a Grenadier Guards uniform, photographed by Alexander Bassano before 1913 (Date of Bassano’s death). Licensed under Wikimedia Commons, National Portrait gallery – PD-US (over 100 years old).

“Northumbrians’ Own Day,” is to be celebrated on Saturday throughout the county of

Northumberland, and only the generosity of the public is needed to make the undertaking a complete success. The emblem on this occasion will be an artistic medallion, on which is figured in relief one of the Fusiliers advancing with a fixed bayonet, and bearing the inscription, “Strike hard, Northumbrians.” and the date “1915.” The medallion, neatly cased in plush, is to be presented as a souvenir to the helpers who assist with the sale of these mementoes. “Northumbrians’ Own Day” is under the patronage of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., Earl Grey, Viscount Allendale, Viscount Ridley, Lord Armstrong, and Lord Joicey, and a host of other notable and distinguished gentlemen of the North Country. The committee earnestly appeal for subscriptions, however small, knowing that this special Christmas effort on behalf of our soldiers and sailors can only be the great success hoped for through the generosity of all. A number of subscriptions have been received, including a cheque for £200, from His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. Cheques and postal orders should be crossed “Northumbrians’ Own Day” Barclay’s Bank, Collingwood Street, Newcastle. Mr Leonard Dalrymple is the chief organiser, Mr Fred Sutcliffe the hon. Treasurer, and Mr George Harcourt the hon. secretary, the central headquarters being at the Westgate Picture House, Newcastle.

HOLY ISLAND AND THE WAR

Holy Island is doing its share of work during the present time of anxiety and stress. Although the population is small, nearly all the eligible men are engaged in working for the country, either as mine sweepers or in the Army. Amongst others who have left is the schoolmaster, Lieut. Hollingsworth. He departed from the island with the best wishes of all for his welfare, accompanied by a rousing cheer from the Scouts and school children assembling to wish him good luck and a safe return after the war is over.

GRACE DARLING’S CENTENARY

There seems to be some conflict of evidence regarding the birth of Grace Horsley Darling, if one is to depend upon the veracity of the official guide to Holy Island. It is there stated that she was born on December 17th, 1815, and that she was one of a family of seven.

Darling Family Grave, St Aidan's Churchyard — Darling Family Grave, St Aidan’s Churchyard.

The grave is the resting place of Grace and several of her family members. The headstone is a copy of the original which has been preserved and is on display in the nearby Grace Darling museum.

On the other hand it would appear from more authoritative sources that the birth of the heroine is recorded as 24th November, 1815, and it would be interesting to learn how this discrepancy has occurred. It is unnecessary to enter into any lengthened story regarding the devotion and heroism of the famous daughter of the lighthouse keeper of the Longstone. It is familiar to all from their childhood days, and more particularly so in this part of Northumberland. Suffice it say that the recue from the S.S. Forfarshire which left Hull for Dundee on 5th September, 1838, took place on the morning of the 7th of that month. With the assistance of her father, Grace Darling in a frail coble, succeeded in rescuing five of the crew and four passengers. As is well known the heroine is buried at Bamburgh, where a handsome monument surmounts the grave.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1 OCTOBER 1915

THE SCREMERSTON FLOCK DISPERSION

A NOTABLE SALE

On Friday, Messrs John Swan and Sons sold at Heatherytops Farm, Berwick, the noted flock of Border Leicester sheep, which have been got together in recent years by the Scremerston Coal Company. The sale was rendered necessary by the fact that the three farms – Heathery Tops, Oxford Farm, and Sandbank – which the Company presently occupy in the neighbourhood of their mining operations, are to be given up, and the further fact, that Mr J. Evelyn Carr, the managing director of the Company is presently with the forces in France. Mr Carr, very pluckily, shortly after war was declared, joined the ranks of the London Scottish, and spent a considerable time of last winter in the trenches. He got twice wounded early in the year, and was home for a considerable time recuperating. Immediately he got better, the old martial spirit revived, and he is again on the other side of the Channel, fighting for his country – this time in the commissioned ranks of the Sherwood Foresters. Everyone admires his plucky action and high public spirit, but in the circumstances it was necessary that his home responsibilities should be considerably curtailed. While he will retain his active association with the colliery, it was considered desirable to give up the farms, which like the colliery are all on the estate of the Greenwich Hospital (practically the Admiralty), and to dispose of the pure-bred sheep. The decision has been received with a good deal of regret in the district, for Mr Carr and the Company have proved not only excellent neighbours, but have done not a little to promote the cause of pure-stock breeding in their northern corner of Northumberland.

SHIP ASHORE NEAR THE LONGSTONE

On Saturday morning, during foggy weather, the Leith steamer Britannia went ashore on the Crumstane Rock, near the Longstone, Farne Islands. The Seahouses lifeboat went out to her assistance, but the crew did not leave the vessel. Lloyd’s Seahouses agent telegraphed on Monday that the Britannia had been abandoned. The vessel is expected to become a total wreck. The crew landed in their own boats and proceeded to Berwick. The Britannia is one of the Leith-Hull line of trading steamers, the managers of which are Messers Currie and Co., Leith. She was bound from Newcastle to Leith with a general cargo. The vessel became a total wreck and disappeared on Sunday evening.

Farne Islands as seen from Seahouses. Tony Hisgett, Birmingham - Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License. — Farne Islands as seen from Seahouses. Tony Hisgett, Birmingham – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

DAMAGE TO ROADS BY RAIN

It was reported that Holy Island had been visited with a downfall of rain so heavy in character that considerable damage was caused, especially to the roads. These were quite washed out. The road material lying ready to be applied would help matters a little. It was proposed to apply this season if possible 60 tons 1½ inches machine tarred stones, and the Surveyor stated that a future report would be submitted as to the method of their repair and maintenance.

Early 1900s photograph of Castle Street, Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office - BRO 0426-1072. — Early 1900s photograph of Castle Street, Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 0426-1072.

The Surveyor explained that at present everything was being taken to the Island by means of carts as they did not wish to run any risks owing to the war. The rain did great damage, lasting 2½ hours. The roads which were not in very good condition before were badly washed out. At a future date when things were more normal he would be pleased to propound a scheme to the Council for the better maintenance of the roads.

The Surveyor’s suggestion was agreed to.

BURGLARS ENTER TWEEDMOUTH INN

About 3 a.m. on Monday the King’s Arms Inn, West End, Tweedmouth, occupied by Mrs Norris, were burglarously entered. The marauders obtained entrance by breaking a pane of glass in one of the downstairs windows, releasing the catch, and raising the bottom half of the frame. Five large bottles of whisky were stolen and about 8s worth of coppers. Not content with this the intruders obtained a pint glass and had a drink of rum and left the rum cask running. The prints of bare feet were plainly discernable on the seats below the window pointing to the fact that the robbery was not a drunken spree, but one which had been prepared. Two soldiers and a woman were seen in the vicinity of the house about midnight, and we understand two soldiers, who are in custody at the Barracks, are under suspicion.

Early 1900s photograph, looking towards the West End, Tweedmouth from the Berwick Bridge (Old Bridge). Unknown photographer.

This Week in World War One, 26 November 1915