Tag: Peterhead

Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh had new ship Eira built at the Peterhead yard.

Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith Expeditions on board the Eira 1880, 1881-82

Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh had new ship Eira built at the Peterhead yard. 2

This gravestone in one of Peterhead local cemeteries hides a tale of Arctic exploration and adventure. The stone commemorates Alexander Robertson, formerly a crewman on the steamship Eira, which was built by the Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith in Peterhead.

Benjamin Leigh Smith paid for Alexander’s headstone.

Leigh Smith was a wealthy man and travelled extensively to the Svalbard and Spitsbergen regions between 1871 and 1882. In 1880 he had the ship Eira (a screw barquentine) built at the Peterhead yard of Messrs Stephen and Forbes. The whaling family, the Grays, helped with the building, with David Gray assisting in the drawing up of specifications. Leigh Smith made his next voyage to the Arctic in 1880, departing Peterhead on board Eira on 22 May.

On this expedition he took William John Alexander (Johnny) Grant as the official photographer. Grant had established a reputation as a polar photographer, having been on many polar expeditions and exhibited his photographs at the Royal Photographic Society, as well as being a Fellow of the Society and of the Royal Geographic Society.

Leigh Smith and his crew of 24 (mainly Scots and Shetlanders as was common for Artic exploration at the time) aimed to explore Jan Mayen, but this was covered in mist. On 11 July, Eira met up with the Peterhead whalers Hope and Eclipse led by John and David Gray.

The crew of the sailing ship ‘Eira’ dismember a polar bear on the ice at the bows of the ‘Eira’ which is moored to the ice. A crew member stands on deck watching.

Arctic explorers — From left to right are: David Gray at the helm (Capt. Eclipse), Benjamin Leigh-Smith (Capt./owner Eira), Arthur Conan Doyle (Surgeon Hope), John Gray (Capt. Hope), Dr.Walker and Dr.Neale, and William Lofley (ice master Eira) right at the stern. Pictures: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

They were finally rescued by the Dutch ship Willem Barentzs and transferred to the Peterhead whaler Hope for the journey home. It’s thought Alexander Robertson died of the privations his body had suffered on the ice.

Credit to Kenny Bruce

Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh had new ship Eira built at the Peterhead yard.

Peterhead History very rich and interesting

Peterhead Producers Market

Peterhead Producers Market 03 April

Peterhead Producers Market planned for Saturday 3/4/21.

Will be the first market since highly successful launch in November 2020, Rediscover Peterhead is delighted to confirm that the Peterhead Producers’ Market planned for Saturday 03/04/2021.

Here is Last Producer’s Market

This market will focus on Food and Drink and Peterhead Producers’ Market would urge any businesses who are interested in taking part to get in touch as soon as possible.

First market in November was really successful, with a number of traders commenting that it was their best ever trading day at any market.

Peterhead Producers Market 1 — Peterhead Producers Market in November 2020

Priority will be given to those who supported first event and then on a first come first basis with the emphasis being very much on local Scottish produce.

The pitch fee is £40 which includes a fully assembled stall, if required.

Market stall fees have been subsidised by Rediscover Peterhead with the support of funding from Aberdeenshire Council and the NESFLAG Coastal Communities Challenge Fund.

Peterhead Producers’ Market Will be working hard to ensure a well organised and safe market with a one-way system in operation.

Peterhead Producers Market 2 — One-Way System

For further information and bookings, please contact Alasdair who is our market operator – alasdair.boyne@outlook.com

Peterhead roadwork

Peterhead Roadworks.

Peterhead Roadworks on 15 Ugie street, Peterhead.

Temporary restriction of traffic on road.

Start Date/Time 10 Feb 2021

End Date/Time 10 Feb 2021

Location roadworks: Outside 15 Ugie street, Peterhead, either side of road. For 1 Days

Peterhead roadworks — Peterhead roadwork

Access will be provided for emergency and vehicles requiring access to properties but may be subject to delay until the road is cleared of construction plant to allow safe passage through the work.

Any queries please contact Sunbelt Rentals – 0370 050 0792

RNLI Peterhead

RNLI PETERHEAD INVOLVED IN RESCUE 5 LIVES

RNLI Peterhead Lifeboat involved in epic rescue saving five lives

The alarm was raised at 4.30pm when a fishing vessel was towing another fishing vessel into Peterhead Harbour and the tow broke numerous times due to the stormy weather conditions.

rnli peterhead 01 — **RNLI Peterhead Lifeboat**

Tasked by HM Coastguard, the volunteer crew rushed to the Station, launched Peterhead’s Tamar-class lifeboat The Misses Robertson of Kintail and were on scene within minutes. The vessel was dangerously close to crashing into the rocks at Peterhead South Breakwater and due to an easterly gale and significant swell combined with a backwash the conditions were extremely challenging when the lifeboat arrived.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rnlipeterhead

However, the crew established a tow at the first attempt and brought the fishing vessel and its crew back to safety in tough and time critical conditions, saving the five lives onboard.

It was Patrick Davidson’s first shout as Coxswain.

He said:

“This was a really tremendous effort by the crew showing great teamwork and seamanship by all involved in really difficult conditions. If we had arrived seconds later the boat would have hit the rocks and it may have been a different outcome.

“As soon as I saw how close she was to the rocks I immediately requested the helicopter – due to the perilous situation I realised we only had one attempt to get this right.

“The crew and the skipper of the boat could not thank the lifeboat enough and said they’d be forever grateful which makes all the effort worthwhile.

“There has been weather and flood warnings in place across Aberdeenshire today – the conditions were very dangerous but everyone worked together to ensure the safest outcome.”

Jurgen Wahle, Lifeboat Operations Manager, commended the crew for their quick and crucial efforts to save lives at sea. He said: “This was really a phenomenal performance by all involved, showcasing great leadership from Pat on his first shout as Coxswain and excellent teamwork from the rest of the crew.

“This was a critical incident and the effort from everyone on shore and at sea has resulted in five lives being saved. It is a tremendous outcome, and I’d like to commend the bravery displayed by the crew.”