A most regrettable calamity has overtaken the Portessie fishing boat BF 1983 Brilliant, which was totally wrecked at the mouth of the Wick River near the bridge about 7pm Tuesday night & her skipper, Murdo Mackay, abt 60yrs, drowned. It appears that the Brilliant, which is a large boat only 3 years old, & belonging to Alex "Don" Smith, fisherman Portessie, was sold to a Lewis crew for £600 ready for sea except for nets, & that the sale was concluded on Tuesday morning by the payment of the money. ------------------------------
The crew of six men left Buckie with the boat for Stornoway at 11-20 on Tuesday forenoon. The next that was heard of them was a telegram received Mr. P. Smith fish salesman from his son dated Wick Tuesday 8-15pm, saying "BF 1983 total wreck here; skipper drowned; heavy gale". Brilliant had been wrecked at the mouth of the river near the bridge & it was supposed she would become a total wreck. It seems the crew intended calling at Wick Harbour, but on entering the bay a heavy sea was found to be running. The boat was driven among the boulders at the back of the bay. She was apparently uninsured.