Introduction / Families / Hourston / David Hourston and Christian Drever / Jean Hourston and George Leslie / Margaret Flett Leslie and James Rendall

Drowned Off North Ronaldsay

Three men were drowned off Howar, North Ronaldsay on New Year’s Day 1873. These were James Rendall (boatman), Westray and John Tulloch (aged 51), Oback and John Tulloch, (aged 38), Cusiter, North Ronaldsay.

Boats were being prepared for carrying voters to Sanday and for the onward journey to Kirkwall for a parliamentary election, which was subsequently won by Mr Samuel Laing by 25 votes over Sir Peter Tait.

News of the accident appeared in the Orcadian.

Melancholy accident and loss of life at North Ronaldsay The difficulty of leaving and approaching North Ronaldsay is well known, and it is only when the wind and sea is favourable, that it can be accomplished with any degree of safety. With a view to seizing a favourable opportunity to convey voters belonging to the island to Sanday, several boats were prepared, to sail for Sanday at the beginning of the week, should weather allow. In consequence however, of heavy surf on the land, nothing could be done until Wednesday. On that day the weather moderated sufficiently, to allow two or three boats to leave the island. A boat belonging to James Rendall, Westray, a well-known boatman, being in an unfavourable situation, it was supposed that by shifting to another part of the island, all risk of land surf would be avoided. Accordingly for this purpose, a crew of volunteers boarded the boat, but by some misunderstanding, they ended up without accomplishing the end in view, and Rendall himself with five men endeavoured to pass the surf. The boat crossed one sea with safety, but another followed very fast, filled her and caused her to sink by the stern and upset, throwing out the whole crew, two of whom held on to the boat, and a third holding on by two oars. These three were rescued, but unfortunately the other three were unfortunately lost. The Orcadian – 11th January 1873

The minister, Rev Thomas Kay, was a strong swimmer and endeavoured to reach the men. Charles Tulloch, Howar at great risk to his own life caught one of the men.

The three men saved were: John Tulloch, North Ness; Thomas Tulloch, Cruesbreck; and John Cutt, Parkhouse.