LOOKING BACK: Loss of Wick’s last sail boat, Gala finale marred by rain and fountain move mooted
Loss of Wick’s last sail boat
From the Groat of August 1, 1924
The last sailing boat to work out of Wick had been lost after springing a leak.
Owner and skipper William Miller, of Argyle Square, told the Groat that around 8pm on the Friday, when the crew were getting ready to shoot the nets while 26 miles from their home port, the City of Paris started to take on water.
The crew had “no idea where the leakage commenced and could only pump while the nets were being shot”.
The report went on: “Signals of distress were put up for about one and a half hours when the Granton trawler Comrade, skippered by John Cairnie, came to their aid.
“Mr Miller asked to be towed to the nearest port, St Margaret’s Hope, but that could not be done without risk of life as the water had risen to the cabin seat.
“The gear and belongings of the City of Paris crew were therefore transferred to the Comrade, and the leaking boat was tied astern.
“About four o’clock the crew finished hauling the nets on to the trawler and the passage to Wick was commenced. With the first tug, however, the sail boat sank.
“The City of Paris, the value of which without gear was £200, was covered by insurance.”
Elsewhere, the Ackergill and Hempriggs war memorial had been unveiled by General Lord Horne.
Gala finale marred by rain
From the Groat of August 2, 1974
The finale of Wick Gala Week – the torchlight procession and bonfire at the riverside – had been marred by continuous rain, “which was most disappointing for the thousands of people who had gathered in Wick from all parts of the county to see a spectacular event”.
Up until then the week had been a great success and had attracted large crowds to a variety of entertainments, raising £2500 for Wick Town Improvements Association.
The torchlight procession had boasted the largest turnout of torchbearers to date and they “made a fine show as they marched down the Cliff, led by the pipe band, and took up position on the south bank of the river, opposite the island where the bonfire pile was sited”.
However, the heavy rain meant that the bonfire was difficult to light and while the fireworks display continued, and the fire eventually caught, the crowd’s patience ran out and "parents and children, now well soaked, began the dispersal. The elements won again.”
Elsewhere, as part of a study of Britain’s energy problems, the Rt Hon Patrick Jenkin MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy, had visited Dounreay.
He had toured the establishment as a guest of the UK Atomic Energy Authority “to be briefed on current developments”.
He said that he “applauded the Government’s decision to collaborate with other countries in the building of commercial fast reactors”.
Fountain move mooted
From the Groat of August 6, 1999
The costs involved in relocating Wick’s fountain to the other side of the river were being investigated, the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council heard.
Chairman Alan Ferrier said that, at a recent meeting to discuss the future of the landmark, those who attended had preferred removal of the fountain to the rose garden rather than the felling of trees at the riverside.
The meeting had involved representatives of the community council and Wick Town Improvements Association, area cultural and leisure services manager Iain Robertson and Ernie Ross, a member of his staff.
When the fountain had first been built at the turn of the 20th century, there were no trees in the area. However, now the pumping mechanism was constantly blocked by leaves and Mr Robertson had suggested felling some of the surrounding trees.
Mr Ferrier said that the base of the fountain was “considered rather unusual” as it contained mica chips and once the stone was cleaned and polished the mica would reflect the sun.
“Originally that fountain was quite spectacular,” he said. “We would like to bring it back to what it was.”
Marjory Mackenzie said that there was strong feeling among the townspeople that the trees should be retained and the fountain moved. But Sandy McLeod believed there was probably just as strong a feeling about keeping the monument where it was.