The sad story of Drownings

Here is the story of the loss of a salmon boat crew off the south side of Ardnamurchan. In a small community like that of western Ardnamuchan the loss of three lives would have been devestating.

The surnames of those on the skiff, MacPhail, Campbell and Cameron are still common in Ardnamurchan and around Kilchoan

The crew was at sea in a “skiff” a typical and traditional west coast craft. These were clinker built open boats, often about 17 feet long and equipped with a single “dipping” lugsail.

This inquiry took place in 1906. It seems the tragedy took place the year before on the 15th June, 1905

A typical west coast skiff

Many thanks to Peter Aikman for finding and providing this wonderful old newspaper cutting