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Weather conditions have
always been unpredictable around our coast and in the early hours of
25th October there was no indication of stormy weather with calm seas
and fair conditions. The local fishing boats had shot their lines around
6am but shortly after the lines were shot there were indications that a
severe storm was raging further out to sea. Initially there was no wind
but large waves began to appear from the east and soon a heavy swell
accompanied by some large breakers forced the boats to haul their lines
and run for shore.
By the time the boats were reaching the shores and harbours the tide was
approaching the high water mark and those boats heading for Stonehaven
had to make a choice of attempting to enter the harbour or running their
boats onto the beach and risking some damage. In the smaller villages
the boats had no choice but to make an attempt to reach the nearest
sanctuary. Most boats managed to reach safe havens and avoided major
damage however one Newtonhill boat, skippered by Alexander Christie, was
unable to navigate the entrance to Portlethen shore and the vessel
became a total wreck. Fortunately the crew escaped with their lives.
Ironically, the storm abated almost as quickly as it had arisen and by
mid-afternoon the sea conditions had became as calm as they were early
the same morning. This particular storm probably lasted less than four
hours but had continued long enough for one small boat to have been
crushed against the rocks near Portlethen shore. |