Login’s Well – Stromness, Orkney

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:26:15 +0000

Two things limited the distances early mariners could sail, one was food the other was fresh water. Early sailing ships needed large quantities of both of these commodoties before any adventures could begin.

At first glance the well at the side of a road and surrounded by stone walls is not that impressive. However, once you start to read the engraved stone to the left of the well you realise you are standing in a very important place.

Imagine

Recreate the scene in your head of a bustling harbour scene. Large canvas clad ships tower above the house tops in the bay to your left.

Traders, porters and sailors going about their business making preparations. All around you the sound of carts scratching their way up the cobbled streets. The squeaking of hemp ropes passing over wooden pulleys loading cargo and the sloshing of water into wooden barrels.

Pitch fires burn at the harbour walls whilst sweaty men loading wagons compliment the smoke filled air you inhale with every breath.

Now look back towards the well and become immersed in the atmosphere of the 17oo’s.

Discovery

Stromness became the last port of call before the long voyage across the Atlantic for many vessels. Many Hudson Bay Company ships used Stromness for supplies and men until the early 1900′s.

Resolution and Discovery, Captain Cooks‘s vessels, both took on water and supplies in Stromness upon their return home following the failed search for the North-West passage.

It was during this adventure that Cook was killed on the 14 February 1779 in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii.

Stromness was the first home port to which the boats, Resolution and Discovery, returned to in August 1780.

Sir John Frainklin’s ships, HMS Erebus and Terror, also stopped for supplies in Stromness in 1845.

The well was sealed in 1931. However, it has since been reopened and a glass door installed so you can once more see the water.

Further information

The Hudson’s Bay Company Archives (HBCA)

Captain Cook Society

Papers mainly relating to the ill-fated Franklin Expedition in search of the North-West Passage on HM Ships Erebus & Terror (1845-7), and the subsequent expeditions sent to search for survivors or relics of the expedition. Also, some earlier letters from Franklin mainly to relatives and letters from relatives to or about him. Some items relating to the bicentenary of Franklin’s birth celebrated in 1986.

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Stromness ‘Liberty’ Cannon

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:09:22 +0000

Rusting at the edge of the sheltered harbour of Stromness is a cannon said to be a relic of the Anglo-American War.

Trade routes and access to the vast grain fields of Canada became the trigger for war and the shipping lanes between Canada and Britain came under constant threat from the US Navy.

The cannon is said to be from the 'Liberty'

Canada was a British colony at this time.

It is thought that the cannon came from a privateer, an armed ship often funded by individuals or companies, called the Liberty.

How the cannon came to be in Stromness is a mystery, but it was put to good use to signal the arrival, often from Canada, of Hudson’s Bay Company ships in to the harbour.

During 1813, with Captain Scott in charge, the Liberty ran aground at the entrance to Cambeltown harbour. Some reports indicate that she may have been salvaged.

On a wall nearby is a blue plaque that reads ’The cannon reputed to have been salvaged from the American Privateer ‘Liberty’ in 1813.

Plaque explains the history of the cannon

It was used to fire a salute to the Hudson’s Bay Company Ships’.

More information

Little seems to be published on the internet about the ‘Liberty’, Captain Scott or how the cannon came to be recovered from the ship and brought to Stromness.

If you can help please get in touch via the contact us form and we can update this article.Similar Posts:

Spirit of Orkney» Company Ships

Login’s Well – Stromness, Orkney

Further information

Stromness ‘Liberty’ Cannon