Old photograph of boys in a rowing boats in the harbour in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. On the 17th of August 1710, seven young St Andrews lads, full of adventure and with casual fishing in mind, left the safety of the stone harbour, rowing with enthusiasm their boat into the North Sea under a clear blue sky, as they had often done before. Soon a swell arose and before they could react, being several miles out from the harbour, they became caught out in a rather ferocious storm. They only carried basic picnic items of food and wine and were totally unprepared for the results of a storm. They were exposed and buffeted about, lost at sea for seven full days, till the boat eventually crashed on a rocky beach near Aberdeen, eighty kilometres up the coast from St Andrews. The boys were so worn out by thirst and fear and want of sleep, that they could scarcely crawl from the beach. The two eldest made the climb up the cliffs to raise help for their friends. A fisherman called Shepherd gave them aid, and medical help came from the local university, but it was much too late for two of the boys who soon died, of exposure and exhaustion.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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