At about 5am in the morning the steam-drifter Violet of Helmsdale (WK 157), was driven ashore just north of Wester Burn, near the village of Keiss, some five miles north of Ackergill. There were three men aboard and they were taking the vessel from Stromness to Wick after engine repairs. When they left, although the forecast was poor, the weather was reasonable and they made good progress until they reached Duncansby. They continued their journey under deteriorating conditions to the entrance of Wick Bay. Near Proudfoot the steering gear was damaged and the Violet was driven northwards by the south‑easterly wind and swell. Heavy seas repeatedly swept over the vessel and the crew of three made a raft out of hatch-covers. The master Mr. McAngus, climbed aboard the raft, but his two crew refused to join him and he was swept away and the raft came ashore well to the north.
It was some time before those on shore knew anything of the wreck, but as soon as they did, the Rocket Brigade immediately set out for the scene and a telegram was sent to Ackergill reporting a vessel ashore near Keiss. The Ackergill Lifeboat, Johnathan Marshall Sheffield, under Coxswain David Thain, was launched at 11.20am and in very heavy seas and a south-easterly gale headed steadily north. Just as the lifeboat was approaching the Violet a huge wave struck the wreck and one of the two men on board was killed. The same wave carried the lifeboat right up to the wreck, but smashed four of her oars, the lifeboat then being in imminent danger of being driven ashore, but the lifeboatmen managed to grab hold of the lines fired out to the wreck by the Rocket Brigade and they got alongside and rescued the remaining, exhausted, man.
The Violet was built in 1900 by Chambers and Colby of Lowestoft for George Calder of Helmsdale. Wooden built she was 76.7' long (23m) long by 17.4' (5m) wide by 7.8' deep and 55 gross registered tons. Her 12" compound engine was made by Elliot and Garrood, Beccles and delivered 15 hp.
It was some time before those on shore knew anything of the wreck, but as soon as they did, the Rocket Brigade immediately set out for the scene and a telegram was sent to Ackergill reporting a vessel ashore near Keiss. The Ackergill Lifeboat, Johnathan Marshall Sheffield, under Coxswain David Thain, was launched at 11.20am and in very heavy seas and a south-easterly gale headed steadily north. Just as the lifeboat was approaching the Violet a huge wave struck the wreck and one of the two men on board was killed. The same wave carried the lifeboat right up to the wreck, but smashed four of her oars, the lifeboat then being in imminent danger of being driven ashore, but the lifeboatmen managed to grab hold of the lines fired out to the wreck by the Rocket Brigade and they got alongside and rescued the remaining, exhausted, man.
The Violet was built in 1900 by Chambers and Colby of Lowestoft for George Calder of Helmsdale. Wooden built she was 76.7' long (23m) long by 17.4' (5m) wide by 7.8' deep and 55 gross registered tons. Her 12" compound engine was made by Elliot and Garrood, Beccles and delivered 15 hp.