A seaman went mad after witnessing cruelty; a woman died aft...
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1974.219.A3; SA1974.219.A4
Original Tape ID
Summary
A seaman went mad after witnessing cruelty; a woman died after he spat on her.
Magnus Tait was on a ship that was ice-bound coming home from northern waters. As the food ran low, two likely mutineers were left on the ice and Magnie, who went quite mad in later years, could never forget the expressions on their faces. Magnie became so restless and dangerous that he was restrained by having two millstones tied round his neck. He spat on a pregnant woman, who grew ill and died soon after childbirth.
Dr Albert Hunter remembers her daughter as a little old woman. He speculates as to the woman's condition, which probably had a strong psychological element. He heard the story from three old people in Aith.
Item Subject/Person
Tait, Magnus
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good