The Wick registered schooner, Isabella, under the command of Captain John Mackenzie from Thurso, was on a voyage from Sunderland to Stromness with a cargo of coal and was last seen leaving Sinclair Bay.  With him were his son and two others and nothing more was heard or seen of the Isabella or her crew, but an unidentified body was washed ashore at John o' Groats later in the month and it was presumed the Isabella had foundered in heavy weather off Duncansby Head.  It was to have been Captain Mackenzie's last trip before retirement.

The Isabella was built in 1873 and she was 109 gross registered tons. Her length was 25m and her beam 6m.