Thurso seafarers

[goffer]

I have a relative who when married in Thurso in 1816 gave his residence as being the 'Sloop Alexander of Thurso'. Does anyone know how I can find out more about this boat and the work it might have done?

[LesleyB]

Hi Goffer
...and welcome to Talking Scot.

A quick Google revealed this which may be of interest:
http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=64496

My g-g-g-g-grandfather was Donald MILLER, a Shipmaster of Thurso, who died in 1833. I downloaded his will, and there is some information in it which might interest people researching ancestors in Thurso, and some other parts of Caithness.

At the time of his death, he owned the Sloop Alexander of Thurso, valued at 145 pounds, and three-fourth parts of the sloop "Good Intent" of Thurso, valued at 195 pounds. He also owned two shares in the Thurso Shipping Company.

Alexander was a sloop built in Kirkcaldy in 1799. She weighed 60 tons and the captain was John Miller, her trade is listed as a coaster.

The rest of the post is worth reading too...
Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

Also seems to be a document at NAS (catalogue here - http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/ ) in which the Alexander gets a mention:

GD9/312
1 Resolution of the magistrates of Thurso proposing to establish the deep sea herring fishing on the northern coast of Caithness.
2-4. Statements of evidence thereanent (laid before the magistrates) by Donald Miller, master of the sloop "Alexander" of Thurso, William Swanson, fisher in Thurso, and John Lewis from London, employed in the Herring Fishing at Wick. 21 Aug 1809

With an image of the document on Scran: (thumbnail only unless you have a log-in via subscription or educational establishment)
http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record. ... -504-396-C

[goffer]

Hello Lesley,

Thank you for your reply and the info you found on Google, I had looked at Google but you obviously have a more deft touch than me.

The information is just what I was looking for, and the link to Caithness.Org will be very helpful I'm sure.

Thanks again and all the best

Goffer

[LesleyB]

Hi Goffer
Glad the information was of some help.

Best wishes
Lesley