Meanwhile, on board the Scalpay Isles, it was realised that a smaller boat would be needed to get close inshore to look for missing crew and take off survivors. The Scalpay Isles turned about and headed for Scalpay where they secured a rowing boat to their stern and they headed back into the storm. Finlay MacSween, his brother Willie and cousin William clambered into the rowing boat and made their way towards the rocky shore. Following faint cries for help they found two badly battered, oil covered survivors clinging to the rocks. Even though their boat was being tossed like a cork they managed to save both men. They told of being thrown up onto the rocks by the waves only to be pulled off again as the waves receeded. They were grateful to the boat crew.
The last crew member to be found alive was the skipper, he was also found clinging to rocks. He had been stripped naked by the force of the water beating against him and was in a poor way when rescued (he made a full recovery). The Scalpay Isles took the rescued men to Tarbert for treatment. By the time she left the scene, in the early hours of the morning, the wheelhouse of the Boston Heron had already been washed away. When daylight came there was little left to show where the vessel had met her end - the waves had lifted her off the reef and she had sunk without trace.
Article supplied by Scalpay Diving Services.
To view a larger image of these people receiving their bravery awards for their efforts on the night that the Boston Heron went on the rocks just click on the thumbnail. | |
