This page is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the January 1905 gale,
especially aboard the Zulu fishing boat Evangeline.
What follows is a summary of information from various parts of this website, taken from original sources and/or supplied by the descendants and relatives of those lost.
The 70ft Zulu fishing boat Evangeline BF 1952 was built in 1896 by George Innes and Sons at Portknockie for David Wood "King".1
The photo below shows Portknockie Harbour packed mainly with Zulu fishing boats, including the Evangeline. Hover your pointer over the photo to find her.
Zulu fishing boats in Portknockie Harbour (pre 1905)2
Below is a photo of the Evangeline crew, although not everyone in the photo was aboard when the Evangeline was lost. We've only put two names to faces so far and would like to hear from anyone who can identify more. Again, hover your pointer over the photo to put names to faces.
The Crew of the Evangeline3
Crew members we know of are listed below with links, where possible, to their person pages.
| David Wood "King" | Skipper | c1849 - 1905 | |
| John Wood "King" | 1871 - 1905 | ||
| Alexander Mair "Shavie" | 1866 - 1905 | ||
| James Mair "Shanker" | 1870 - 1905 | ||
| William Mair "Shanker" | 1872 - 1905 | ||
| Joseph Mair "Bobbin" | c1881 - 1905 | ||
| Alexander Mair "Bobbin" | c1888 - 1905 | ||
| George Findlay | ? - 1905 | ||
| Alexander Mair "Saucy" | 1881 - 1941 |
Alexander Mair "Saucy" was not in the crew for the fateful Orkney fishing of January 1905 because of an argument with his stepfather, Evangeline skipper David Wood “King”, over his playing of the melodeon. His place was taken by a young lad from Cullen, George Findlay.4
Below are three newspaper articles that in 1905 reported the tragedy.
A "Life-Taking" Gale, including the loss of the Evangeline BF 1952.
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BANFFSHIRE ADVERTISER |
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The Portknockie Boat Disaster, regarding the loss of the Evangeline BF 1952 and the recovery of the bodies of some of her crew.
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BANFFSHIRE ADVERTISER |
The article above mentions the steam drifters Trident and Bluebell that carried some of the recovered bodies back home to Portknockie. The Trident was owned by John Pirie "King" (first cousin of skipper David Wood "King") and sons William and Alexander. Bluebell was a sister-ship to Trident and owned by Wood family.
A Terrible Visitation, including the loss of the Evangeline BF 1952.
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Probably BANFFSHIRE JOURNAL |
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It was reported in error in some journals that a David Mair "Bobbin" had been lost from the Evangeline, but this was a mix up with Alexander Mair "Bobbin".5