322 THE STORM OF OCTOBER 18G4. [CHAP. vn. 



October 1864, for the fishing-ground known as " the Bank," 

 about twenty miles off. John Smith, the principal owner 

 of the boat, an old man, was not at the time able to go 

 to sea ; but he had seven sons, and five of these, with 

 four near relatives, sailed in the ill-fated Shamrock from 

 Portessie harbour on that fatal morning. The Shamrock was 

 accompanied by some other boats belonging to the same place, 

 and the little fleet left as early as three A.M., keeping together 

 more or less until they reached the fishing-ground. On arriv- 

 ing at the Bank the Shamrock, it appears, had separated from 

 the others, the crew preferring to go some distance in order to 

 cast their lines ; and she had not been seen by the other boats 

 after parting from them. About seven o'clock on the follow- 

 ing morning, some of the people of Whitehills, on going round 

 to the spot known as Craigenroan, a quarter of a mile to the 

 westward, were alarmed at seeing a boat lying high and dry 

 among the rocks, as if it had been tossed up at high tide and 

 left perched there on the receding of the waters. The mast, 

 some oars, and other articles, were seen lying here and there 

 beside her, strewn among the rocks, and there were holes seen 

 in her sides evidence only too conclusive that the boat was 

 a wreck. A closer inspection discovered her mark and num- 

 ber " B.F., 743," and then was also seen the name and un- 

 mistakable designation, " Shamrock, Pt. Essie J. Smith." 

 On examination it was conjectured, from the way in which 

 the mast had been wrenched off, that the boat had foundered, 

 either some distance at sea, or among inshore breakers, right- 

 ing again as she was beaten up on the rocks, where, as we have 

 said, she was found sitting high and dry on her keel. It 

 was at once felt that all the crew had perished, and 

 the bodies of the men were eagerly sought for by their 

 friends and relatives. On Friday, the lifeless body of John 

 Smith, " Bodie," was found washed up on the beach. On the 

 same day the corpse of his son, a young man who was to have 



