The Burgar/Burgess families in Shetland

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Ship wrecks

Shipwrecks on the coast of Shetland have been a common occurrence over the centuries.  The valuable contents of the ships were often plundered by the residents of Shetland. 

The following examples of shipwrecks in Dunrossness are recorded in the Shetlopedia 13

1668 4th February         The St Francisco, a vessel registered in either Bayonne, France or possibly Bergen, Norway, was wrecked in the Bay of Quendale, Dunrossness.  All 17 of the crew were saved.

It seems that this was the vessel that was plundered by the crofters in Dunrossness, including David and George Burgar.51

circa 1700          An unidentified wooden hulled sloop wrecked or foundered 'near' Fitful Head, Dunrossness.

1718         An unidentified vessel wrecked in the Bay of Quendale, Dunrossness.

1748 September 18th        The Christiansand, of Denmark, laden with a cargo of timber, wrecked in the Bay of Quendale.

1748 September 30th         An unidentified vessel, registered in The Netherlands, laden with a cargo of fish, wrecked on the Ness of Ireland, Bigton.

 

1750     An unidentified, Norwegian registered vessel, laden with a cargo of timber wrecked in the Bay of Quendale.  This may possibly be the vessel who's cargo the Rev John Mill used to provide pews in the Cross Kirk, Dunrossness, and to build a Manse for himself.

1758 February 8th     A large vessel laden with a cargo of timber, presumed wrecked or foundered on or near the west side of Dunrossness, after a large amount of wreckage washed ashore in the vicinity of Rerwick.

 

 

 

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