Historylinks Museum to hold 250th anniversary ceremony at Dornoch beach after information on 'forgotten' ship journey surfaces: public invited to attend
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Dornoch museum Historylinks is set to commemorate a long forgotten maritime event dating back more than two centuries.
The museum is to mark the 250th anniversary of the departure of the brig Nancy from Dornoch on September 17, 1773, bound for America with 280 emigrants on board. Sadly many were to lose their lives before reaching their destination.
Information on the ship and its voyage has only recently emerged, Historylinks volunteer Jerry Bishop told Dornoch Community Council at its meeting last month.
Mr Bishop said research undertaken into the Nancy’s voyage by one of the museum founders, the late Jim Bell, had been discovered by his son, Professor David Bell, who has continued his father’s work.
“It was news to the museum,” said Mr Bishop, who serves as treasurer with the community council. "The ship seems to have gone under the radar. We do not know why."
The Nancy is thought to have been moored prior to sailing at Meikleferry or at a deep pool called Merchant’s Pool near Dornoch Point. The passengers who boarded her had been forced to leave their homeland due to high rents and failing crops.
But the journey became a battle for survival – the ship, a two-masted rigger, was overloaded; it ran into dreadful weather and there was insufficient food. The captain was brutal to the passengers – he and and crew had enough food but refused to share it.
Mr Bishop said it was thought that the ship was bound for North Carolina because of the huge population of Sutherland people who were already out there. But there is evidence that it docked in New York.
The memorial event is open to the public and will take place at Dornoch beach on Sunday, September 17, 1.45pm for 2pm.
There will be a welcome address by Dornoch Provost, Patrick Murray. A speech on the "Nancy Project" by Professor David Bell, and a service led by Rev Graeme Muckart.
East Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) is to take its lifeboat out into the Dornoch Firth so that a wreath can be dropped into the water.
Closing remarks will be made by Dr Andrew Senior, co-chairman of Dornoch Heritage SCIO.
Dornoch Community Council has agreed to support the grant of £483 from the Dornoch Common Good Fund to erect a temporary sign about the Nancy at the beach.
Mr Bishop told last month’s meeting the panel was a precursor to submitting a planning application to erect a permanent plaque. “That plaque will become the 18th panel on the town trail,” he said.
