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NAME

RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF FAMILY

MARITAL STATUS

AGE

OCCUPATION

WHERE BORN?

John SHAW

Head

Married

39

Fisherman

Nd. Berwick

Jane SHAW

Wife

Married

38

——-

Nd. Berwick

Henry SHAW

Son

Single

14

Fisherman

Nd. Berwick

Mary TROTTER

Head

Widow

69

——-

Nd. Berwick

John WAIT

Head

Widower

72

Shepherd

Scotland

NAME

RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF FAMILY

MARITAL STATUS

AGE

OCCUPATION

WHERE BORN?

Robert MEIN

Head

Married

45

Farmer

Nd. Berwick

Margaret MEIN

Wife

Married

43

——-

Nd. Wark

Isabella S. MEIN

Daughter

Single

6

Nd. Berwick

Isabella GAGIE

Head

Widow

73

Retired Farmer

Nd. Wark

NAME

RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF FAMILY

MARITAL STATUS inc number of years married and children

AGE

OCCUPATION

WHERE BORN?

John SHAW

Head

Married

34

Iron moulder (implement maker, worker)

Nd. Berwick

Hannah SHAW

Wife

Married – 4 years, 2 children, 2 still living

28

——-

Nd. Norham

Mary Gladstone SHAW

Daughter

3

Nd. Berwick

Esther SHAW

Daughter

1

Nd. Berwick

1880-1881

John BINGHAM

1881-1882

John BINGHAM, Thomas CRAIK, John SHAW

1885-1886

John SHAW, John WAITE

1888-1889

John SHAW, John WAITE

1895-1896

Robert MEIN, Isabella BUGLAS

1903-1904

Robert MEIN, Isabella GEGGIE

1905-1906

Robert MEIN

1906-1907

Isabella GEGGIE

1908-1909

Robert MEIN, Isabella GEGGIE

1914-1915

John CONWAY jnr

1915-1916

John CONWAY jnr

1922-1923

Thomas CROMBIE

1932-1933

Thomas BUGLASS, Katherine BUGLASS

1937-1938

Thomas BUGLASS, Katherine BUGLASS

1939-1940

Thomas BUGLASS, Katherine BUGLASS

1947-19148

Thomas BUGLASS, Katherine BUGLASS

TRAGEDY OF THE SEA, BODIES WASHED ASHORE

The minds of the relatives of Robert Burgon, Robert Leith and Wm. Fayne, will now be at rest since the bodies have been given up by the sea.

Fishermen and others kept on keen look-out on Spittal beach to find the bodies of the three drowned men, in the event of them being washed ashore a search party was organised including Mr R. Logan (Lloyd’s Agent), and Mr B.Lough (Coxswain of Berwick Lifeboat), and the coast was searched from Goswick to Scremeston, but no trace of the missing men was found.

Between Thursday and Saturday various articles were washed ashore, Burgon’s coat was discovered near Sharper’s Head about a mile north of Berwick, and one sleeve was turned inside out as if the garment had been hurriedly discarded . The [illegible] of the Berwick, was found on Spittal beach, and also Leith’s overalls, which were very loose fitting.

On Sunday morning about 10.50 a.m. the body of Burgon was washed up on Spittal Beach at half tide, and within half-an-hour the body of Payne was seen to be washing about in the shallow water. Both bodies were recovered and taken in a motor lorry to the mortuary at Berwick, by Mr W.S. Blakey, the Coroner’s Officer.

There was a larger number of people than usual on Spittal Promenade on Sunday afternoon, and on the sands opposite the Spittal Spade Works, where the two bodies were found, a group of people stood gazing at the sea, wondering if Leith’s body would be washed ashore.

Full tide was at 8 p.m., and again at half tide, about 11 p.m. Mr W. Davidson, a Spittal fisherman, went down to the point where the two bodies had been found and kept watch. Fortunately the lights from neighbouring houses shone on to the sea, and arrangements were made for these not to be extinguished.

Leith, of course, for some time was a bus driver with Messrs Spowart and Councillor Spowart, who travelled to Spittal, delayed the bus for some time in hope that the body would be found. His wish was gratified for about 11.30 p.m. the body floated into the circle of light from the neighbouring houses. The fisherman waded in and brought the body to shore, and it was conveyed to the mortuary by a fellow bus driver and in the bus which for long Leith had driven.

The inquest was held on Monday evening.

Bravery of Majory’s Crew.   Skipper Tait Praised.

“In a coastal town like this, where we have a fishing community venturing regularly on the sea, we may always be liable to hear of lives imperilled by storm,” remarked Mr H. R, Peters (Coroner) at the inquest into the death of Robert Cowe Burgon (skipper), Wm. Gray Speedman Payne, and Robert Bruce Leith, the three drowned members of the “Lerwick” which was swamped on Berwick Harbour Bar last Thursday. “It is a matter of congratulation,” continued Mr Peters,”that, although we have such a dangerous coast and although the harbour mouth is at times such a dangerous one to negotiate, the fishing community of this Borough have suffered so little with the exception of the tragic happening which is the mainspring of this inquiry .”

He thought they would all agree that the tragedy had cast a gloom over the town, because the men who were the victims were local men who were each and every one of them well known in a greater or lesser degree. With the exception of Robert Burgon, a veteran seaman and a coxswain of the local lifeboat for many years, the crew were young men on the threshold of their career. The affair must have caused many sad hearts, and he thought the common bond of sympathy everyone possessed would tend to flow in the direction of the relatives who had suffered such a bereavement. He asked the jury to record a verdict on the evidence and put completely out of their minds any gossip they may have heard, whether uttered under stress of emotion, ignorance or otherwise. The story told by Robert Tait, who went to the rescue, served to illustrate the difficulties which were to be negotiated at the harbour entrance in bad weather. It seemed a matter of fate that the Lerwick was not to get in.

Although the story had been told in modest fashion, it had occurred to him that an example of what he would call the highest degree of courage which he had taken place on this coast for many a years past had been performed. He was referring to the story told so modestly by Robert Tait. When they considered that Tait and his crew turned their boat about immediately after crossing the bar and returned into those tremendous waves seething and boiling over the harbour mouth – in a fishing boat and not a lifeboat – he felt that it had taken courage of the highest merit. Undoubtedly it was a most hazardous and dangerous operation and might very well have involved their own lives. He thought the crew of the Majory and the skipper ought to be congratulated on their courage, and it was well to think there were among the fishermen of this community, men who at a sudden and urgent call for help, without thought of their own lives, would go to the rescue of a comrade. He hoped that Robert Tait and the crew would receive recognition in a more worthy quarter in due course. He thought they merited recognition.

The inquest was held in the Boardroom of the Workhouse, and the jury was composed of Mr J.P. Stewart (chairman), Messrs D. Borthwick, J. Jamieson, J.M.Simmen, F.Moore, Jas. Ainslie, and Wm. Patterson, Supt. Shell and Police Sergeant Wilson, Captain Gibsone (Harbour Master), and Mr J. McC. Holmes were also present.

George Manuel Burgon, engine driver, 9a Low Greens, Berwick, said he identified the body of hs father, Robert Cowe Burgon, who had resided at the same address. His age was 74, and he was a retired fisherman.

Herriot Maitland Leith, Water Inspector, 19 Wallace Green, Berwick, said he identified the body of his brother, Robert Bruce Leith, of 22 East Street, aged 29, a motor mechanic.

William Payne, 15 Weatherly Square, Berwick, labourer, said he identified the body of William Gray Speedman Payne, of the same address as that of his son. The latter had been a fisherman and was aged 19.

Robert Borthwick, a fisherman of 63 Walkergate, Beerwick, said he was one of the crew of the motor fishing boat Lerwick. The other members of the crew were Robert Cowe Burgon (skipper), Robert Bruce Leith (engineer), and William Gray Speedman Payne.

They set off at about 6.20 a.m. on Thursday from the quay in the Lerwick, and proceeded south a point opposite the Lime Kiln between Scremerston and Goswick. There they commenced to fish with the ripper. The sea was smooth when they left the Pier Head on going out of the harbour, and there was a light breeze from the South East. The boat was drifting about while they were fishing and the wind blew them in the direction of the pier. They stopped fishing about 9.30 a.m. and at the time would be opposite Spittal just south of the Promenade a good distance out to sea. There was a long rolling swell, and the sea was beginning to make. The engine was set going on their deciding to return and from the point they made a little towards the outside of the Lighthouse. Burgon was at the helm and there appeared to be no difficulty until they got to the harbour mouth. As they approached the sea at the bar seemed to be rough, and the rollers were breaking, but no one remarked about it being dangerous to get into the harbour. About a 100 yards from the Pier head they got into bad water. The boat had been brought round so that she was heads straight for the harbour. The course from a northerly to a westerly direction had been changed about 200 yards before. He himself was with Leith in the engine pit. He saw a huge wave overtaking the boat, and it broke just astern. He was looking just over the top of the engine hold. The wave broke over the boat and filled it with water, washing the crew out of the boat. He found himself in the water with the boat close to him so he held on to the bow. The boat was upright, and he saw the other three men trying to get to the boatside. They were about 10 yards away from the boat. All of them reached the boat side, and got hold of it. The engine had stopped, and the boat had lost way. Another wave came along very quickly, and the bow was then pointing out to sea. It broke on top of them and flung witness away from the boat about four yards towards the land. He swam back to the Lerwick and got hold of the stave of the mizzen mast. He saw Burgon and Payne who were 20 yards and 10 yards from the boat respectively. He did not see Leith. They were both trying to get back to the boat, and Payne came near, whereupon witness took hold of him by the coat, Payne did not manage to get a hold on to the boat, and he seemed to be stunned. Witness held on to Payne for two or three minutes and then he slipped from his hand. The other two members of the crew did not reach the boat at all. While this was happening the boat was being flung back from the harbour on the ebb tide. He was hung on the boat for about five minutes, and then the fishing boat Marjory with Robert Tait, Stephen Tait and Peter Dixon, sen. And jun. on board came to his assistance. They threw him a line and hauled him into their boat. The Lerwick was still floating water logged about in an upright position. The Marjory searched about to try and find the others.

Robert Tait, fisherman, 75, Low Greens, Berwick, said he was skipper of the fishing boat Marjory and went out to see at the same time as the Lerwick and proceeded south. The sea was very smooth when they left the harbour. There was south-easterly wind – just a moderate breeze. He finished fishing and went into the harbour about ten minutes before the Lerwick. When he stopped fishing he would be about two miles out to sea and opposite the south side of the Spittal Promenade. He agreed with Borthwick’s description of what happened until reaching the harbour mouth. There the sea was tremendous. It had got up very suddenly, aggravated by the prevailing conditions of tide and wind. He had difficulty getting in to the harbour. He heard some men shouting on the Spittal point when they were well inside the harbour. He heard them say that a boat was in difficulty and he put the Majory about to sea again. They saw a man clinging to the boat, which was outside the Pier and water-logged, but upright. It would be about 100 yards from the Pier and in very rough water. The Marjory actually touched her with the boat stem. The crew threw a rope to Borthwick and took him on board. They made search for the other men but failed to see anything of them. The Marjory had some trouble in crossing the bar again.

By Mr J.P. Stewart – Were the conditions worse the second time you went out of the harbour?

R. Tait – Oh, yes,. The water was always getting worse.

Eneas wood, salmon fisherman, 17 Middle Street, Spittal, said he was on Spittal Beach on Sunday morning. He was just having a walk, and at about 11 a.m. was just opposite the Forge Cottages when he noticed a lot of seaweed and dirt come ashore. It struck him that he might see one of the bodies among it. He made a search and found and found the body of Robert Burgon floating in the water among the stuff. He waded in and brought it ashore, and the body was taken charge of.

Johnston Crombie, 6, East Street, Spittal, a cooper, said he was on Spittal Beach on Sunday morning and saw people searching on the chance of seeing the bodies opposite the Forge Cottages. He saw Payne turn over in the water and rushed in as far as the waist and brought him ashore. It would be about a quarter of an hour after the finding of the first body. The police took charge of it.

William Davidson, 20, West Street, Spittal, a salmon fisherman, said he was on Spittal Beach on Sunday night and went on purpose to see if he could find Leith’s body. Just opposite the Forge Cottages he waded about in his sea boots. He saw something floating in the water, and on the water receding he got hold of the body. He got others to help him get the body ashore. Fourteen or fifteen people came over on Spowart’s bus from Berwick, and Leith’s body was taken to Berwick in the bus.

The jury returned a verdict that the three men were drowned by accident through their boat been swamped on Berwick Harbour Bar on the morning of 24th March. They associated themselves very strongly with the Coroner’s remarks about the Marjory, and recorded a very deep sympathy with the relatives in their severe loss. They very highly appreciated the bravery of Mr Tait and his crew in saving one life and endeavouring to save the others.

Mr J. McC. Holmes, as agent and on behalf of the owners, tendered to the bereaved sincere and heartfelt sympathy in their sad loss.

Captain Gibsone, on behalf of the R.N.L.I., also expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Never perhaps, since the funeral of the late Dr. C.L. Fraser, has they been such an expression of public sympathy as was taken on Tuesday afternoon when the remains of Skipper Robert C. Burgon, and the engineer of Lerwick, Robert B. Leith, were interred in Berwick Cemetery. A large crowd collected at the Fishers Cottages,from whence Burgon’s funeral; took place, and at the top of Castlegate crowds lined both sides of the street. A good many people on reaching the Cemetery gates, returned to Castlegate, and joined the funeral procession from Railway Street, from whence the funeral of R. Leith started.

The Revs S.E. R. Feaning, Vicar of St. Mary’s and D. U. Rutherford, Curate, Berwick Parish Church, officiated at the gravesides, both taking part in the service.

A large number of wreaths were placed on the graves, including one from the R.N.L.I., Lady Frances Osborne, J. McCallum Holmes, agent of the Lerwick, on the grave of Burgon and also wreaths from the family and friends. On the grave of Leith there was a wreath from his fellow workers, and one in the form of a Gordon Highlander badge from Mr. and Mrs Spowart, Leith having served with this regiment. There was also a wreath from Mr J.McC. Holmes and family wreaths. The pall bearers in the case of Burgon were all ex-life-boatmen – Robert Tait, James Jamieson, John and D. Borthwick.

The principal mourners at Burgon’s funeral were as follows – Sons – George, Robert, Alexander, John and William. Daughters – Mrs Brigham, Holy Island: Mrs Richardson, Church Street. Grandsons – Robert, James and Jack Brigham, Holy Island: Robert Burgon, and George Sidney Richardson, Church Street: Mathew and David Crawford, Ravensdowne. Brothers – James, John, and Alexander Burgon. Sisters – Mrs Cherry, Hartlepool: Mrs Unthank, Spittal. Son-in-Law – Mr John Crawford, Ravensdowne. Daughter-in-Law – Mrs R. Burgon, Duns. Brothers-in-Law- George, James, Alexander, William and Harry Manuel. Nephews – Harry, James, Alexander, and David Burgon: John and James Burgon, Robert, James, John, Alexander and George Dixon. Cousins – Harry Crombie, St. Helens, Spital: John Renton, Main Street, Spittal.

Lifeboatmen and Official’s present were:- Coxswain B. Lough, sen., 2nd Cox. A. Patterson, E. Cromarty, Jas. Lough, Thos. Laidlaw, Thos. Elliott, B. Lough and B. Lough (son and nephew of Coxswain Lough), R. Crombie, W. Patterson and A. Patterson of Berwick Lifeboat. Captain Gibsone (Hon. Sec.), Messrs S. Younger, J.M. Edney and TT.W. Boal, Berwick Lifeboat Committee, Coxswain Cromarty, Holy Island Lifeboat Station Coastguard Officer A. G. Bradford, Holy Island: Mr and Mrs G. Allison, Messrs R.J. and James Brigham and Mr T. Kyle, Holy Island.

John Scott 9 Low Greens, Berwick, also gave evidence . Result of a crash.