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Rescue --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The small fishing vessel the "VINE" was immediately put out to sea manned by Joseph Cay, Thomas Gray, William Morgan, Alexander Cay, James Freeland, James F Phillips, John Hay, William Hay and James Hay. These fishermen had done yeomen service in saving lives on previous occasions, but they never effected a rescue with such risk to their lives as on that particular Sunday morning. The waves threatened every moment to engulf their little boat, and they had to exercise the most careful seamanship to keep her from being swamped.
"There`s
Alec, Jeames an Robbie Hay, After much battling with the waves, they got alongside the steamer "Xenia`s" lifeboats. Thomas Gray boarded one boat and William Cay another, and they succeeded in landing twenty of the crew ashore at Broad Haven Creek. Meanwhile the Port Errol lifeboat crew, who had been informed of the wreck, arrived on the scene. The lifeboat was commanded by James Pirie Noble, (the Coxswain), and the Peterhead lifesaving apparatus, from the same Port was also sent out. The Port Errol lifeboat however, was unfortunately unable to render any assistance, owing to the strong flood tide which was flowing at the North side of the Scaurs (Briggs). The Skipper and four of the crew still remained on the Vessel after the first attempt, and so, once again, the brave fishermen of Whinnyfold determined that their lives too, must be saved at whatever risk. They went out again, this time using one of the steamer's own lifeboats. The crew on this attempt were John Hay, George Hay, Charles Cay, Thomas Gray, Alexander Cay, William Cay, Alexander J Freeland, Alexander Morgan and John Robert Hay. After much combating with the waves, the fishermen got their boat manoeuvred into a position where rescue of the remaining crew was possible. From there they threw a line to the shipwrecked mariners. One by one the survivors were dragged through the surf and got pulled on board the boat. Great difficulty however was experienced in getting Captain Kruse on board, as the line had to be cut and another one procured. The fishermen again piloted the boat safely ashore, and the remaining five survivors were taken to Whinnyfold, where along with the other members of the crew, were treated most kindly by the fishermen and their families, being supplied with dry clothes and offered every comfort. As the Port Errol lifeboat had to encounter the gale on her homeward voyage, a Peterhead tug boat was telegraphed at ten o`clock, and favoured by the wind was on the scene in a remarkably short time, along with the Peterhead lifeboat. The Peterhead lifesaving apparatus, controlled by Chief Officer George Meriman also went out, but of course their services were not required.
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