THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The Aberdeen trawler Lotus (Captain Alfred Lawrence) and crew of six men, which owing to stress of weather put into Montrose Harbour, has sunk in the river after being in collision on Saturday morning with the Suspension Bridge and railway viaduct. The vessel, which was berthed at the Fish Quay, parted her moorings on Friday night when all but one member of the crew had gone ashore. She drifted across to the Ferryden side of the river, and several fishermen came to the rescue.

50 years ago

When Richard Hewett decided to build his own aeroplane three years ago in a hay loft, the first thing he did was to make sure he could get out to fly. For the exit is only four feet square – and the plane sections will go through – just! Richard (26), Perth-based sales representative for a firm of agricultural machinery manufacturers, learned to fly when he was 17 and a pupil at Cranbrook School, Kent. He got his “A” licence, but had to let it lapse because he could not afford to keep it.

25 years ago

Traditional skills of the Moray Firth boat builders are helping to restore Captain Scott’s sailing ship Discovery to its original condition. The craftsmen of Macduff Shipyards Ltd have carved two new mainmasts using ancient tools like the adze, and are refurbishing other spars which Captain Scott would have been acquainted with at the beginning of the century. Although the yard is no stranger to mast-making, the Discovery’s are the biggest it has undertaken. They have been built in sections.

One year ago

Almost 4,000 votes from all over the world have been cast as Scotland prepares to induct a first heroine into its famous “hall of heroes”. It is hoped the woman chosen will be the first of a number to take their rightful place as Scotland celebrates the enormous contribution its women have made to the world. The nominees include Mary Slessor; Second World War hero Jane Haining, who died in Auschwitz; co-founder of Maggie’s Centres, Maggie Keswick Jencks; and medical pioneer Sophia Jex-Blake.