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DUMBARTON HERALD 29 July 1869

MELANCHOLY BOAT ACCIDENT - EIGHT PERSONS DROWNED (continued)

The members of both parties are stated to have been perfectly sober; and, as already mentioned, the weather was calm, and the night clear, so that no danger was apprehended by the most timid person amongst them. Shortly after leaving Port-Glasgow harbour a sail was hoisted upon the boat occupied by Malcolm McCrae and his party, but there being no sail on board the other boat, it was necessary to use the oars. As there was only a light air of wind from the southward, the rowers often got ahead of the boat on which the sail was hoisted, so that the party on board the latter boat were often obliged to use their oars, in order to keep alongside of their friends. On the way across both parties were in the best of spirits - jest, banter, and song being freely engaged in. When the boats had accomplished fully half the distance across, it became necessary that they should separate, as Malcolm McCrae and his party resided about a mile further down the river than did the occupants of the other boat. After bidding each other good night they separated, and the course of each boat was steered at about right angles from the other. > more [5]