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All the United Kingdom Scotland Saint Abbs East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial
AO Edited

East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial

One of four sister bronze sculptures dedicated to the widows and orphans of an 1881 tragedy.

Saint Abbs, Scotland

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East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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Along with "Widows and Bairns", this is one of four bronze sculptures crafted by artist Jill Watson to memorialize the 1881 tragedy known as both the Eyemouth and East Coast Fishing Disaster. This naming is due to a majority of the 189 fishermen that perished during the late 19th-century disaster coming from Eyemouth, where the largest of Watson's memorials is located.

The other three smaller memorials represent the share of dead fishermen that originated in the towns of Cove, Burnmouth, and in this case, St Abbs. All four memorials represent the widows and fatherless children left behind by the storm.

The figures are portrayed in agony and are emotionally striking, especially with the Scottish Southeast coast as its background. 

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Memorials Fishing History & Culture Sculptures
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Published

July 7, 2021

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  • https://myplacescotland.org.uk/awards_entry/widows-bairns/
East Coast Fishing Disaster Memorial
Saint Abbs, Scotland, TD14 5PH
United Kingdom
55.899438, -2.131563
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Nearby Places

Cholera Monument

Eyemouth, Scotland

miles away

'Widows and Bairns'

Eyemouth, Scotland

miles away

Edin's Hall Broch

Abbey St Bathans, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Cholera Monument

Eyemouth, Scotland

miles away

'Widows and Bairns'

Eyemouth, Scotland

miles away

Edin's Hall Broch

Abbey St Bathans, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

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