R.N.L.I crew Fraserburgh

shipperley · Post by **shipperley** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:03 pm

Hi all,
I have a relation that I only know as "da Sim".He was a crew member with the Fraserburgh lifeboat from the 1890's to the 1930's.
Is there anyway I can find out more about his service or events relating to it?
thanks julie

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:21 pm

Hi Julie
I wonder if the RNLI would be worth contacting?
http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/the_heritage_trust
address & email contact at the above link

There is a bit about the Fraseburgh lifeboat here:
http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/sc ... an/history
Could this be your man?

1929 A Silver Medal was awarded to Second Coxswain James Sim for rescuing seven crew from the trawler Clio. The service took place on 14 January 1912 but as the Honorary Secretary was seriously ill at the time this service was not fully reported until 17 years later.

1936 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Sim for rescuing nine crew from the trawler Evergreen.

There are contact details there for the Fraserburgh Lifeboat. Maybe worth trying them too - they may have access to information held locally.

Best wishes
Lesley

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:26 pm

Even better!!
There is a picture of your man here:
http://www.cardnogenealogy.com/index.ph ... a_home&a=5
Which appears to confirm that J. Sim is "Da Sim" so one and the same man!

Post by **emanday** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:57 pm

Wow Lesley! What a treasure you've found for Julie, and he's right at the front in the middle.

Wonder if he was "Da" Sim because he was the oldest?

Post by **joette** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:12 pm

Or James David?

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:55 pm

On the one hand the cowswain was the only full time crew member, employed by the RNLI, so maybe often older than the rest of the crew, hence the possible ncikname "Da", but a look at the photie here would suggest otherwise.

So maybe it wasn't a nickname, but a so-called tee-name or by-name, - but the former is a replacement, whereas the latter is additional, - e.g. James Da SIM involves a T-name, whereas Da SIM is a nickname.

And you thought that the subject was simple

Take two very famous Scots, - Roy Roy McGREGOR and Alan Breck STEWART (think "Kidnapped", never mind based on a real person).

Errrr..... no !, - they were born as plain Robert McGREGOR and Alan STEWART, the "Roy" being added because he had red hair or a reddish complexion, and was given the by-name Ruaidh (have I got that spelling correct?), Scottish Gaelic, pronounced Roy !! to distinguish him from many other Robert McGREGORs; as for Alan, he had freckles and/or a fair complexion, so was given the Gaelic by-name Breac, pronounced Breck, to distinguish him from hunners of other Alan STEWARTs ...........

David

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:34 pm

The coxswain is in charge of the all weather lifeboat and is in command when at sea. He/she is responsible for all the operations connected with launching the lifeboat, ensuring the safety of all the lifeboat crew on board, and it is the coxswain's duty to use every effort to safeguard and rescue the lives of those in danger. At the end of a rescue the coxswain ensures that the lifeboat is ready for service and that the equipment is all in order.

Most coxswains are volunteers although there are a few full-time coxswains. The all weather lifeboat has a second coxswain who acts as a deputy if the coxswain is not available.

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:03 pm

Da-Sim on this link.

http://www.mcaorals.co.uk/Fraserburgh%20Boats.htm

Hugh.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:58 pm

Hi Hugh
Can you give me some clues as to where to find him on the site you mentioned, please? Is he in a particular section? I'm lost!!

Best wishes
Lesley

Bob C · Post by **Bob C** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:54 pm

LesleyB wrote: Can you give me some clues as to where to find him on the site you mentioned...
Lesley

Next to last photo in the "Historical Photographs" section is another copy of the photo you found.

Bob C