Defending St Kilda

[mbriscoe]

I came across a book today that I had not seen before so picked up a copy. Looks very interestig.

Published by the Islands Book Trust and this pasted from their website.

Defending St Kilda

by Ron Morris

In this book, based on new research and with archive photographs, Ron Morris tells the intriguing and little‑known story of the role which St Kilda played in World War 1, including the establishment of a wireless station and Royal Navy base to monitor enemy movements in the North Atlantic. In May 1918, a German U-boat entered Village Bay and opened fire, following which a gun was erected on St Kilda next to the Manse to respond to future attacks – although this was never used in anger.

A flavour of how the islanders responded to this unexpected threat can be gained from the following extract:

”Finlay MacQueen like some of the other islanders was still under the impression the submarine was a friendly craft and intended to row his little boat out to it for a chat with the sailors and hoping to replenish his dwindling stock of tobacco in the process. He grew annoyed when the submarine failed to stop, but continued in its circle putting his intended visit out of reach”

Ron has done a lot of work studying gun positions around the Forth.

It is NOW possible to get across to Kilda for the day - if you have a strong stomach!

Edited 19 August , 2014 by mbriscoe

[centurion]

It is not possible to get across to Kilda for the day - if you have a strong stomach!

Do you mean you can only go if you have a weak stomach?

[mbriscoe]

Do you mean you can only go if you have a weak stomach?

It should have read NOW! I have corrected now.

I don't think any trips over to Kilda can be classed as comfortable!

http://www.gotostkilda.co.uk/

http://www.seaharris.co.uk/

[mbriscoe]

I have read a few chapters now and it is a very interesting book. It starts with the story of how the people on St Kilda were found half-starved around 1912 because they had not had any visits from the supply boat. The RN sent a vessel with supplies and the Daily Mirror also sent supplies then raised funds for a wireless station on the island with lots of complications getting permission from the GPO etc.

Then once WWI started there was lots of U-Boat activity around that area so the RN paid locals to act as watchmen with telephone lines down to the wireless station so that reports could be sent to Stornoway and RN vessels in the area. Eventually a U-Boat went into the bay and shelled the wireless station. After that a gun was found to put on the island in case of any further attacks.

Well researched book with lots of information but also very readable.

Edited 29 August , 2014 by mbriscoe