Captain Jack Isbester

Hard down! Hard down!


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Isbister, John, Death Certificate, N.Z.No.1911008433, registered 27.10.1911.

       2 GOING TO SEA – ARTHUR IRVINE

      Starting a career at sea in the 1860s was tough. There are no letters describing John Isbester’s early days at sea, but Arthur Irvine, son of Magnus Irvine of Strom Bridge, Whiteness, was aged 15 when he left home in April 1867 to start his life as a seaman. He was my grandmother’s elder brother – John Isbester’s brother-in-law to be. Magnus Irvine was a farmer and landowner – a laird – his wife’s family listing doctors, army officers and clergymen amongst their ancestors, so the choice of a life at sea, starting as a boy or ordinary seaman, is surprising. It may hint at a determination to see the world, a recognition that he was not academic, or that the family did not at that time have the funds to launch him in a professional career.

      Friday night was very dark & we nearly ran down a vessel off the coast of Aberdeen. There was an awful roaring & shouting to back the engines & port the helm – helm hard to starboard & so on which were mingled with the shrieks of the ladies in the cabin who thought something terrible had happened or was going to happen. However, we steered clear of her in spite of rain, fog and darkness held on our way till we came to Aberdeen where we landed about two o’clock on Saturday morning.

      Dearest Mother,

      I arrived here safely today. I went to Moore and he said that if I would wait a week he would get a ship for me. I am very tird and therefore cannot write much but I will write when I get a ship. If I do not get one tomorrow I will perhaps go to Liverpool with A Tait. If I do get a ship it will likely be for eight months and then I will be home. Give my Love all I have not written to Granny but you can tell her that I am finely write immaditely to the Sailors’ Home Glasgow.

      I remain your loving Boy

      A Irvine

      Don’t put C in the adres

      Like many a 15-year-old boy he was concerned about appearances, and didn’t want anyone to know that his middle name was Craigie!

      My dearest Aunt [probably Elizabeth Gifford of Busta, his mother’s 38-year-old sister],

      I am sorry that I have not written to you before but I put it off till I should get a ship. I find now that it is all very fine to be at home and speak about the sailor’s life but it is different to try it. Dear Aunt I find now that it is all true that I was told about the sailors although I have not yet been at sea The wickedness of a sailor’s life on shore here is awful Last night a steward on board a steamer came here paid off with £30. He went out and came in with only £2 & without his coat & that is the way why a sailor can’t have money but by God’s strength I sall never do that I have had Many temptations since I came out here, but I have resisted them from the first and now I find