Introduction / The Island / Accidents and Wrecks

Peter Harcus and James Allan Drowned
(13th October 1887)

Peter Harcus, Doggerboat and James Allan, Holland were drowned on Saturday 13th October 1887. They had been in a boat with James’s father (also James Allan) and brother Robert transporting a cow to Eday. The seas had been running pretty high in the more exposed areas.

The cow had become restless and put its foot through a plank of the boat. The men tried to shove their oilskins into the hole but to no avail. They then tried to throw the cow overboard and in the process the boat capsized.

John and Robert Allan managed to keep afloat until assistance arrived. According to the report in the Orkney Herald of 26th October 1887, James was last seen alive standing on the stern of the boat, waving for help. The sea shortly washed him off and he perished.

The paper stated that a suit of boat’s sails consisting of jib and main-sail, inside of which were rolled a boat’s rudder and man’s jacket, drove ashore on the north west side of Ellier Holm.

Peter Harcus left a widow and young family.