The Invergordon Archive
No: 1677 Contributor: Ron Stewart Year: 1910
The Sinking of SS Sterlina in 1910This poster is in the Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack, commemorating the wreck of the SS Sterlina, a small cargo vessel, and the rescue of the crew (Invergordon men) from the Gizzen Briggs over a hundred years ago.
The poster was produced by Steve Carroll, Director, Tarbat Hall Community Group on behalf of the Community Group because the stone plaque on the exterior wall of the Carnegie Hall has become weathered and difficult to read. Chairman of the Community Group, Kenny Aitken did much research into the event and found many photographs, newspaper cuttings and texts relating to the event.
(To be able to read all the text just click on 'View Large Version' below)
View Large Version
Picture added on 02 September 2015 at 11:03
Thank you Ron for contributing the story of the Sterlina. He is my grandfather, father of Hec Macrae Invergordon. Being so long ago it would have been quite easy to have been forgotten.
Added by Muriel Macrae on 02 September 2015
Hi Ron, I would like to add to my above comment: Captain Richard Macrae on the Sterlina was my grandfather, father of Hec Macrae.
Added by Muriel Macrae on 02 September 2015
Captain Richard Macrae, a brave and lucky man, was also my grandfather, father of Isabella Ross (nee Macrae), my mother.
I was named after him.
I am intrigued by the name of the ship. Can anybody shed any light on it? Exactly the same word in Italian means "pound sterling". Is that just a coincidence?
I was named after him.
I am intrigued by the name of the ship. Can anybody shed any light on it? Exactly the same word in Italian means "pound sterling". Is that just a coincidence?
Added by Richard Alexander Ross on 20 September 2015
There is further information on this topic on the Fearn Peninsula website.
www.fearnpeninsula.org.uk/S.S.Sterlina%20wrecked%20on%20Gizzen%20Briggs.pdf
www.fearnpeninsula.org.uk/S.S.Sterlina%20wrecked%20on%20Gizzen%20Briggs.pdf
Added by Ron Stewart on 11 October 2015
William Smith was my father in law's grandfather. Just visited the plaque and sadly in a poor state.
Added by A Coyne on 03 June 2018
This was a very sad story.its a shame you you were dissapointed to find the plaque unkept ..i have never seen it.My grandfather was very lucky to have survived it.
Added by Muriel Macrae on 05 June 2018
My grandfather was friends with a gentlemen aboard that vessel. Sad indeed.
Added by John Paul on 02 June 2019