This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21391481
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Wreath tribute for 1953 Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster | Wreath tribute for 1953 Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| A ceremony has been carried out to commemorate a lifeboat disaster off the north east coast of Scotland which claimed the lives of six crew. | A ceremony has been carried out to commemorate a lifeboat disaster off the north east coast of Scotland which claimed the lives of six crew. |
| Six men were killed when their lifeboat capsized within sight of Fraserburgh harbour in 1953. | Six men were killed when their lifeboat capsized within sight of Fraserburgh harbour in 1953. |
| A wreath was laid at sea by the widow of one of the men who died. | A wreath was laid at sea by the widow of one of the men who died. |
| The Fraserburgh lifeboat had been helping fishing boats back into port when it capsized in heavy seas. Only one of the seven crew members survived. | The Fraserburgh lifeboat had been helping fishing boats back into port when it capsized in heavy seas. Only one of the seven crew members survived. |
| Lifeboats have operated out of Fraserburgh for 200 years and the fishing port has suffered several tragedies. | Lifeboats have operated out of Fraserburgh for 200 years and the fishing port has suffered several tragedies. |
| On 9 February 1953 warning rockets were fired, calling the Fraserburgh volunteers into action. | On 9 February 1953 warning rockets were fired, calling the Fraserburgh volunteers into action. |
| Rough seas were preventing fishing boats coming in to harbour and the lifeboat began escorting vessels to safety, but was battered by large waves. | Rough seas were preventing fishing boats coming in to harbour and the lifeboat began escorting vessels to safety, but was battered by large waves. |
| Frances Hepburn lost her 23-year-old husband John Buchan in the tragedy. She went out in the present-day lifeboat to lay a wreath, along with two of her sons. | Frances Hepburn lost her 23-year-old husband John Buchan in the tragedy. She went out in the present-day lifeboat to lay a wreath, along with two of her sons. |
| Fraserburgh has lost another seven men in two other lifeboat disasters, in 1919 and 1970. | |
| Vic Sutherland, current coxswain at the town's lifeboat station, said: "Unfortunately the history of the lifeboat in Fraserburgh has been blighted by three major disasters. | Vic Sutherland, current coxswain at the town's lifeboat station, said: "Unfortunately the history of the lifeboat in Fraserburgh has been blighted by three major disasters. |
| "This is a sombre occasion as we recall the events of 9 February, 60 years ago, when the whole town and the surrounding area was affected by the appalling tragedy, the like of which we hope we will never see again." | "This is a sombre occasion as we recall the events of 9 February, 60 years ago, when the whole town and the surrounding area was affected by the appalling tragedy, the like of which we hope we will never see again." |