1881 Disaster memorial St Abbs 680-
The 1881 St Abbs fishing disaster, more widely known as the Eyemouth disaster or "Black Friday", was the worst fishing disaster in Scottish history, occurring on October 14, 1881. A severe storm struck the East Coast fishing fleet off Berwickshire, causing the deaths of 189 fishermen, including men from St Abbs, and leaving 78 widows and 182 fatherless children. The suddenness of the storm left boats unable to find shelter, leading to swamped vessels and boats crashing against the coast.
189 fishermen were lost, with 129 from Eyemouth and others from nearby villages like Burnmouth and St Abbs. The disaster left 78 widows and 182 fatherless children, with many families losing multiple members.
The disaster created a crisis for the families left behind. However, the women of Eyemouth famously refused offers to place their children in a children's home, determined to keep them together
A powerful bronze memorial called "Widows and Bairns" was erected in Eyemouth to honour the lost men and the families they left behind. Sculpted by Jill Watson, it features bronze figures representing the 78 widows and 182 children. Other memorials are located in St Abbs and Cove.
The memorials depict the women and children watching from the shore as the boats are dashed against the nearby rocks as their menfolk are drowned.
1881 Disaster memorial St Abbs 680-
The 1881 St Abbs fishing disaster, more widely known as the Eyemouth disaster or "Black Friday", was the worst fishing disaster in Scottish history, occurring on October 14, 1881. A severe storm struck the East Coast fishing fleet off Berwickshire, causing the deaths of 189 fishermen, including men from St Abbs, and leaving 78 widows and 182 fatherless children. The suddenness of the storm left boats unable to find shelter, leading to swamped vessels and boats crashing against the coast.
189 fishermen were lost, with 129 from Eyemouth and others from nearby villages like Burnmouth and St Abbs. The disaster left 78 widows and 182 fatherless children, with many families losing multiple members.
The disaster created a crisis for the families left behind. However, the women of Eyemouth famously refused offers to place their children in a children's home, determined to keep them together
A powerful bronze memorial called "Widows and Bairns" was erected in Eyemouth to honour the lost men and the families they left behind. Sculpted by Jill Watson, it features bronze figures representing the 78 widows and 182 children. Other memorials are located in St Abbs and Cove.
The memorials depict the women and children watching from the shore as the boats are dashed against the nearby rocks as their menfolk are drowned.