North Berwick - The Little Bass and Catherine Watson

[Beckenham1]

On the early maps of North Berwick there's a landmark feature noted somewhere between the town and the site of the North Berwick Castle called the “Little Bass”. It’s on the East Links. You can see it clearly on the map of 1832. http://maps.nls.uk/view/74491922

It's a landmark because of its similarity to the Bass Rock. You would have been able to see the Rock from it.

On the 1853 map (pub 1854) it doesn’t mention the Little Bass, but it does Bass Villa. Interestingly Marine Parade is called Bass Terrace. Bass Villa might be 2 or 3 Marine Parade. http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426935

I think by the 1880’s the maps no longer mentions the Little Bass.

http://maps.nls.uk/view/75631977

Meanwhile in North Berwick, there is a Memorial to Catherine Watson, it’s a red granite celtic cross standing on Anchor Green, in front of the North Berwick Seabird Centre. The inscription on it reads 'Erected by public subscription in the memory of Catherine Watson aged 19 who was drowned in the East Bay 27th July 1889 while rescuing a drowning boy. The child was saved. The brave girl was taken. https://wordsonstone.wordpress.com/type/gallery/

At the base of the cross, there’s a stone / boulder which looks similar to (me at least) the “Bass Rock.

Could this boulder be in fact the “Little Bass”? See this photo.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zK2z5aL8nzY/T ... +-+054.JPG

Has anyone any ideas about the little Bass or about Catherine Watson?

[WilmaM]

I find it somewhat odd that the map you mention has Little Bass marked on it but not Castle Hill.

I was wondering if that was perhaps an old or alternative name for it.

We often park right beside Castle Hill, though I've never been up it, I think there's an information board up there - my daughter may have a photo of it.
I can't recall any other rock, outcrop or high ground at that area, though it rises steeply just behind.

I wish I could go and do a little fieldtrip tomorrow and spy out the land.

[Beckenham1]

Castle mound is on the other side of Yellow Craig Rock from Little Bass, maybe 700 feet away. Looking at the 1832 (Great Reform Act) map you can see Little Bass is noted atop an inverted T. Perhaps that was a mapping reference point. There are also two other artefacts nearby, (that I think) are later additions with no value; but then I don't know. Initially I thought one of artefacts was a mark for a boulder, but now I'm not sure? There's nothing to be seen now on Google Street View. I'm beginning to think that Bass Villa was built on top of what was Little Bass Rock. See the OS Map (Six-inch edition, 1892-1893 survey) published 1895. Then there's the 1853 survey which isn't terribly helpful, the Yellow Craig Rock positioning could be more defined. Perhaps the secret lies in the history of Bass Villa?

Meanwhile here's more on Catherine; http://womenofscotland.org.uk/women/catherine-watson AND the monument http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biog ... cglashen_s

I'm not making any headway in tracing a local historian...

[garibaldired]

I wonder if this could be of help?

http://www.johngraycentre.org/about/arc ... ay-centre/

Best wishes,
Meg

[Currie]

The Glasgow Herald, August 5, 1889
Bottom of second column this page. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3 ... %2C3460389

“It is proposed that the memorial should take the form of a lofty Iona cross of granite, and be erected in a prominent position on a rock at the East Bay near the spot where the lamentable accident occurred.”

The Glasgow Herald, June 27, 1890
Middle of seventh column this page. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r ... %2C8269772

“It is raised upon a large boulder which was brought up from the shore”

Alan

[Beckenham1]

Thanks for your help, those that replied. It's a pity, I enjoy quirky little facts like this...