Borve fishing disasters: remembering lost ancestors

On 20th April 1875, the fishing boat Melancholy from Borve (Eathar Mhurchaidh Gabhsuinn) was lost during a violent storm off Ard Shiadar, resulting in seven men losing their lives. Only one of the bodies, that of 22-year-old Donald Mackenzie from 21 Lower Shader, was recovered. His remains were discovered at Crowlista, Uig, then transported by boat back to Shader, where he was buried at Barvas Old Cemetery.

 

During the same storm another un-named boat from Borve who paired with the Melancholy made it back home in time. When the crew pulled her out of the water and turned her over, the keel was broken in two places.

 

The crew of the Melancholy that perished and their family history are as follows.

 Murdo Macdonald. 1842-75 Skipper aged 32 from 45 Borve.  He was known locally as Murchadh Gabhsuinn. His family were evicted from 20 Old Galson in 1863, and he took the tenancy of Croft 45 Borve. He was married to Mary Morrison from 41 Borve known locally as Malag. They married on the 25^{th of} February 1873.

Murdo’s Parents were Murdo Macdonald 20 Old Galson and Christina Morrison 10 Borve (ni'n Tharmoid Ruadh). He was their only son.

Malag's father was Donald Morrison 41 Borve, and her mother was Margaret MacIver 46 Borve [Mairead Phadraig Calum Phadraig].  He left two Daughters, 1 Margaret and 2 Murdinag.  Murdinag married Murdo MacIver (Murchadh Crogean) from 35 Borve they had no family. Margaret remained unmarried.  Murdinag was born shortly after her father perished and was named after him.

Malag’s Grandfather Padraig Chalum Phadraig Phabaidh, drowned in 1853.

 

John Graham. 1833-75 Aged 42 years (Sulan) Mac Ruairidh Chalum Iain 1806-53, from 33/34 Borve. John was married to Mary Macleod from Stornoway.  He left two of a family.  His widow Mary relocated to Stornoway. 

John’s father was Ruairidh Chalum Iain who drowned in 1853.

Alexander Macdonald. 1848-75 Aged 25 years n/m. Alexander's parents were Norman Macdonald 11/12 Upper Shader and Christina Morrison 21 Ballantrushal they lived at 28 Upper Shader. Alexander was the eldest son in this family.  His brother also Alexander b1860 married Kirsty Findlayson 6 Bru.  Muitair Alec Tharmoid 28 Upper Shader. 

Donald Morrison. 1829-75 Aged 48 years from 24 Lower Shader. (Domhnuill Ban) Donald was born at 6 Mid Borve.   They were evicted from 6 Mid Borve in 1853 and removed to 22 Upper Shader. Donald married Catherine Mackenzie 24 Lower Shader (Catriona Alaistair Chalum) these Mackenzies were also evicted from 4 Mid Borve in 1853 and removed to 24 Lower Shader. Donald's brother John nicknamed Fiagh (Deer) lived at 16 Ballantrushal.       

Domhnuill Ban Morrison’s family.

 1 Effie 1855 = Malcolm Mackay 3 Ballantrushal [Calum Iain Bhain from Galson ]                  3 Ballantrushal.

2 Calum Ban 1851-1908 = Chirstaigh Macdonald 2 U.Shader 1859 [Chirstaigh Iain] >>              31 U. Shader.

3 Domhnuill Ban 1858-92 = Margaret Macdonald 2 U.Shader[ Mairead Iain],                                2 Upper. Shader.

4 Angus Ban 1861 = Margaret Martin 33 L.Shader [Mairead Iain Ruairidh],                                  24a Lower.

5 Allan Ban 1864 = Janet Smith 32 L.Shader [Seonaid Dhomhnuill Oig]                                        24 L.Shader

6 Margaret 1866= James Macdonald 1846-1933, 34 L.Shader [Seamus Ruadh] >>                    34 L.Shader

7 Ann 1868 = Roderick Mackay 3 Ballantrushal [Rodaidh Iain Bhain from Galson]                     43 L Shader.

8 Murdo 1869-70

9 Alexander 1869 -70

10 Ann 1873 No Record.

Note: Calum Iain Bhain and his brother Rodaidh Iain Bhain, married to Effie and Ann were MacKay's from Galson.

 

 Donald Mackenzie 1851-75 aged 24 Years from 21 Lower Shader ex 23 Borve n/m. (Domhnuill Ailean Alaistair Chalum) His body was found on the 3^rd of June in Crowlista Uig and is buried in Barvas old Cemetery.  He was a brother to Aonghas Ailean and lived at 21 Lower Shader.

His family were evicted from 4 Mid Borve in 1852 and removed to 23 Borve.  Donald was a nephew to Catherine Mackenzie who was married to Dhomhnaill Ban 24 Lower Shader who also perished that day. Donald’s father Allan Mackenzie died in 1862 at 23 Borve. His mother was  Mary Morrison 23 Borve [sister to Dileas] who died in 1858.  Allan Mackenzie’s 2^nd wife was Mary Graham [Mairi Iain Chalum Iain] from 11 Borve, no family. After Allan’s death in 1862 his wife Mary Graham relocated to 21 Lower Shader with his family.

 

 Donald Macdonald 1829-75 aged 46 years (Auld) married to Mary Graham 1835-95 (Mairi Tharmoid Micheal) from North Galson. He was also known locally as Domhnuill Beag Aonghais or Auld.  In 1863 he was cleared from 8 New Galson and removed to 14 Lower Shader.  His brother Domhnuill Mor removed to 3-4 Lower Shader and eventually No 28 L. Shader. 

Domhnuill Beag Aonghais left behind a family of 6 that day.

Their Family.

1 Aonghais Mor 1861-1913 = Kirsty Macaulay, Bragar. >>                                                                                                       14 Lower Shader

2 Aonghais Beag 1864 = Catherine Macleod 75 N. Tolsta >>>                                                                                                46 Lower Shader

3 Effie 1865-1912 n/m

4 Murdo 1867 (Stricken) = Kirsty Martin 33 Lower Shader in 1924 they removed to                                                            50 North Galson

5 Ann 1870 =    Donald Murray 15 Aird Tong

6 Donald 1872 (Danaidh) = Margaret Macdonald 1 Borve (Mairead Aonghais Dhugall)>                                                     26 Lower Shader.

 

7 Murdo Macdonald 1853-1875 aged 22 years N/M [Murachadh Iain Ruadh] 34 Lower Shader ex 11 Old Melbost.

Murdo Macdonald and his family were evicted from Melbost Borve in 1852, they relocated to croft 15 Lower Shader. Shortly after they removed to 34 Lower Shader and Angus Martin from 3 Mid Borve took the tenancy of 15 Lower Shader.

 

This disaster is largely forgotten now.  We hope to bring these memories back to the community in the form of a monument that will be placed outside the church in Borve.