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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 80, 11 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

An account has reached London of the loss of a boat's crew off the Shetland Isles. When the fishermen set out, the morning dawned calm and beautiful, and they proceeded to the fishing ground, a distance of 12 or 14 miles. About noon the wind increased to a stifl" breeze, with a strong current to windward. The sea soon became so heavy that it was necessary to make for land. On crossing what fishermen call "a string of tide," formed by a headland or ridge of rocks jutting out into the ocean, and ihe action of which is felt for miles seaward, a huge billow struck one of .the boats and upset her, and four out of five men of her crew were drowned.

The present distressing condition of the poor inhabitants of the Hebrides has not only evoked public sympaihy in the shape eftemporary relief, however inadequate, but has also suggested to certain benevolent ladies and gentlemen the propriety of instituting; a wise scheme of emigration as the best means of permanently improving the condition both of those who are willing lo leave their native shores, and of those who remain. An association, headed by such men as the Duke of ArgA'le, Sir David Baxter, Sir James Matheson, Sir David Brewster, Sir John M'Netl, the Lord Advocate, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, John Henderson, of Park, Dr Norman Macleod,Dean Ramsay, Dr Guthrie, and others, has been formed to raise subscriptions for the purpose.