Introduction / The Island / Accidents and Wrecks / The "Hope"

Presentation of Board of Trade Silver Medals
By King Edward VIII

The five Pharaymen left Kirkwall by steamer for Aberdeen at the end of September to be met there by a Board of Trade official from London. They attended church on Sunday 3rd October 1909 and called on Captain Youngson of the “Hope”.

On Monday 4th October, they headed for Balmoral Castle and were driven there by Royal Coach and horses, having got off the train and were instructed how to act in the presence of the King by a Board of Trade Official.

They were warmly greeted by the King and an account of the rescue read before the presentation of the medals. The King shook their hands before giving a second speech and retired.

The men were presented in the hallway with a pipe and a large tin of tobacco each as the King thought that these might be appreciated on the journey back to Pharay. There was then a tour around the castle and grounds before lunch was served to the men in the servant’s quarters. They were encouraged to eat all that they could and the lunch lacked nothing.

It was a stormy passage back to Stromness from Aberdeen. They were met and taken to Kirkwall by carriage where they got the Orcadia for Eday. They walked the five miles from Eday pier to Fersness where they got the boat back to Pharay.