Genealogy Chat

Good morning! My GG Grandfather, a seaman, died by drowning in the Firth of Clyde on 29th December 1889. On his death certificate it says the death is 'registered on the information of the C MacCulloch Procurator Fiscal'. The death was not registered until 4th February 1890. I've googled all ways I can think of with '' round his name and not, to no avail. How could I maybe find out more about this sad incident? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Donna

What was his name?

Morning Joan, His full name was William John Hardie (or sometimes spelt Hardy) but the death cert shows the former. Donna x

Can any of the afternoon crew help please? Thanks Donna

Hi Donna Have you tried contacting the Mitchell library, some of the staff there are very helpful. I had been told of a tragic accident in my family and when i finally found the death cert and had a date to start searching by, the Mitchell library checked the newspaper archives and found an article relating to the incident. Debbie x

HI Debbie, No I haven't tried there. I didn't realise they would do look ups for you and, as I'm down here in sunny Bognor...a long way from home, I thought it would probably involve a trip back up ther (mind you if I was back home in Glasgow I'd have to be physically removed from the Mitchell...lol!). Do you know how much they charge for the service? Thanks Donna x

Hi They state that there is a small fee, but i was never charged, proberly just depends on who you get. Some people are so helpful and others are just plain lazy. Good Luck Debbie

Hi Debbie, Last question, am I better to phone or email? Thanks for all your help. All the best Donna x

From the Scotsman, 30 December 1889 'Shipping Disaster on the Clyde Steamer sunk and five lives lost Early yesterday morning a collision occurred in the Clyde, off Toward Point, by which a steamer was sunk and five persons drowned. The steamer Ovington 444 tons, engaged in the sugar carrying trade between Hamburg and Greenock, left Glasgow on Saturday night for the first mentioned port with a cargo of coal. In the Firth a dense fog was met with, and Captain Goreley, the master, had the speed of his vessel reduced. When off Toward Lighthouse the fog became so dense that the Captain decided to run towards the Cowal shore and anchor till morning. This was about 2 o'clock a.m. The Ovington had only proceeded a short distance after the course was changed when a large steamer was observed sailing straight for her, coming up the channel. All that could possibly be done to avert the disaster was done by those on board both vessels, but they could not be cleared, an the Ovington was struck on the port bow with considerable force, the other vessel proving to be the Queen Victoria, 1500 tons, inward bound from Antwerp. So far did she penetrate the Ovington that it was at once seen that nothing could save the latter, and a number of her crew quickly scrambled over the bows of the Queen Victoria. As soon as the latter backed clear the Ovington commenced to settle down, and in three minutes she sank, carrying with her six of the crew. Two boats were quickly got out by those on board the Queen Victoria, and these succeeded in picking up the chief engineer Tait and a fireman named Hardie, the latter of whom, however, was so much exhausted that all attempts to resuscitate him proved of no avail. Tait was, with difficulty, brought round. The two lifeboats remained in the neighbourhood for some time longer, but no further bodies could be observed and the Queen Victoria subsequently proceeded for the Tail of the Bank, the survivors of the Ovington being landed at Greenock. The causes which led to the collision could not be gathered but it is surmised the look-out on board the Queen Victoria had mistaken the stern light of the Ovington for the Skelmorlie Bell Buoy, and in endeavouring to give that a wide berth, ran into the latter steamer. The Ovington carried a crew of sixteen all told, and of these five were drowned. The following are their names:- Michael cairns, fireman, 8 Sir Michael Street, Greenock George Carrick, fireman, 23 Market Street, Greenock, Alfred Wishart, steward, Mamol, Germany John Gordon, 16 years, messroom boy, Glasgow William Hardie, 14 Raise Street, Saltcoats The Ovington was owned by Messrs Hine Brothers' of Maryport, and was built at Newcastle. Only one body has yet been found, and it it that of a man apparently about 40 years of age. With the exception of a blue flannel shirt, which was drawn up about the head, the body was entirely naked, and it it supposed from the appearance of the hands that he had been a fireman.' Hope this helps Barbara

Hi Donna I have both email and phone numbers somewhere when i find them will send you a PM Debbie P.S. Barbara which site did you get the extract from

Barbara, Sorry for the delay, had my dad round...if only I'd looked earlier I could've shared this with him as it's his great grandfather. Thank you so much for firstly finding the extract and secondly posting it on here for me. He had a very young family of 6 when he died, the youngest being 10 months old (I think, from memory) and it's good to have some closure on this tragic event. Like Debbie, I'd love to know what site you get this information from......don't think any of my others died in untowards circumstances but it would be good to know for future reference. Debbie, Thank you too for your information and the ways to contact the Mitchell will be very useful as 99% of my family history is up in Scotland. Thanks again girls. Donna xxxx

The Scotsman extract is from their on-line archives: www*archive*scotsman*com Coverage is slightly biased towards Edinburgh area but I find it very useful for checking for accidents etc anywhere in Scotland. It's £7.95 for 24 hours access but if you save up a list of searches to do you can get a lot done in 24 hours. I'm fortunate to have free access via my work. Regards Barbara

Thanks Barbara for the website. I'm the first to have migrated South on one side of my family so the majority of my history is in Scotland. I've put that address in my favourites as I'm sure I'll have cause to use in the future. As for yesterday's info, thank you once again, I googled the Ovington and now have seen sketches of it, know it's full cargo, and that it is a popular wreck for scuba divers. Your help really was invaluable. All the best Donna x