INTERESTING STORY OF AN ARDROSSAN BRIG.

Evening Star, Issue 4160, 27 June 1876, Page 4

INTERESTING STORY OF AN ARDROSSAN BRIG.

More than a hundred years ago a man-of-war named the Ciitns was wrecked on the east coast, and, frqpi the materials saved from the wreck, the brig Clitus, of Ardrossan, was built. The vessel became thaprpperty of Mr r m. Millar, Saltcoats, and in the great storm of February, 1839, along with thirty-two other vessels, she was driven ashore on the Troon coast. The eldest daughter of the owner, Miss Elizabeth Millet’, was induced to take charge of the repairs on the vessel, and she displayed so much business aptitude on that occasion that an interested gentleman (the late Mr Fiunie, Kilmarnock), persuaded her to take command of the brig. Miss Millar did so, and for the long period of twenty-two years, in all weathers, she discharged her peculiar duties with no small amount of ability, relinquishing her labor only when failing health complied her. She was well known in the coasting trade, and all the seafaring class ever evinced a great respect for “ Captain Betsy Millar.” She died in 1864 at Saltcoats, and the old Clitus became the breadwinner of two surviving sisters j bub the sale of the vessel this week, has, of course, deprived them of this source of livelihood. Betsy’s name was favorably mentioned in the House of Lords by the late lamented Earl of Eglington, when the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854 was under discussion, and she also received honorable mention in the House of Commons about the same time. The ' Htus was recently condemned by the Board of Trade, and she has just been sold by auction for the sum of L 122.

“I am aatcrruahed, my dcivr.young lady, you, maw me •‘Wen, I KaWh been •wanting you to s>tar: ,for tbptetft Jwujr.”