durness cemetries

[Ecneps]

Hi Carol,

Thank you, that's a good site.  It says that there is nothing to mark the mass grave, but strangely says it was an emigrant ship and the wreck happened in 1849, whereas I got my information from a newspaper dated 1847, that ship was a hull barque, am now wondering if there were two wrecks with a ship of the same name.  More to investigate here I think!

Thanks again,
Barbara
 

[rockydog]

Hello Barbara, Yes it does seem conflicting doesn't it.  There is another site you might like to look at which also mentions the CANTON but still 1849. 
www.hi-arts.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-hianewm7w.htm

Keep looking girl.
Regards
Carol   

[rockydog]

Hi again Barbara,  It definately was 1847 so hope that has helped a bit.  Have just found very brief details in a Scottish Newspaper:- 
"The barque "Canton" of Hull. Capt J. Tonge- Master. No survivors."
so I have written to the website to see if they will give me more information about it.  I have also enquired about Asher.
Best wishes
Carol 
 

Hi Carol,

Thank you, that's a good site.  It says that there is nothing to mark the mass grave, but strangely says it was an emigrant ship and the wreck happened in 1849, whereas I got my information from a newspaper dated 1847, that ship was a hull barque, am now wondering if there were two wrecks with a ship of the same name.  More to investigate here I think!

Thanks again,
Barbara
 

[Ecneps]

Thank you Carol,
looking forward to finding out a bit more 

Barbara

[Ecneps]

Hi Carol,

Just an update. Have been in contact with
1. a local artist who had done a project on the shipwreck
2. the Durness primary school headmaster who has been researching it
3. Hull maritime museum curator who found details of the ship

I now have lots of information, it was 1847, normally used to carry emigrants to Canada but not on this occasion, hence the reason they thought 300 people had been lost, but it was just the 18 crew & 2 passengers lost, buried in Balnakeig churchyard near Durness, but nothing to mark their graves, unfortunately. Not much documentation locally, just stories passed down, maybe sometime there will be something to mark their sad end.

Thanks for your help
Barbara 

[rockydog]

Hello Barbara, So pleased to hear you managed to get a bit more information on this.  I haven't had any luck with my research, still waiting for replies?  I did find a Census for Asher Predgen in 1861 aged 8 yrs and also in 1871 aged 18 years and was on a ship called "Flying Cloud" and he was a fisherman.  Got to be a relation.  Do you have these Census that I am talking about?  If not I can send them on to you if you let me have your email address.  Send me a Personal Message.  I am going away tomorrow for 10 days, so no computer for that time.   
Take care
Carol

[Ecneps]

Hi Carol,

Yes thanks, I have all census information for him, Asia Predgen b.1853 was my gt.grandfather. 

Asher on the shipwreck was his uncle, and until now I didn't know much about him.  The name came down through the family as Asia. Hoping to visit Durness later this year to see where it all happened.  Someone there is going to try to find out more from burial records, as it's before the date that scotlandspeople have online, so here's hoping.

Many thanks for taking the time with this, and enjoy your holiday

Kind regards, Barbara   

[rockydog]

Thanks very much Barbara.  Am sure we will enjoy our time away.
If I hear anything else on the shipwreck that I think will benefit you, will write and let you know.  I think you may have found all we are going to find out.
Good luck and best wishes,
Carol

[wini]

Carol

Are there any Gunns in the Durness cemeteries?
I have lots of them.
I know there was more than one Gunn family there so if there are some i will give you the family names.

They direct family are John Gunn married first to Isabel Ross and then Bessie Gunn.

Thanks wini