Scots Fishing Tragedy Widow Pays Tribute to ‘Miracle Worker’ Alex Salmond
In a heartfelt tribute, Shirley Henderson, the widow of one of the fishermen lost in the Sapphire fishing tragedy, expressed her gratitude towards former First Minister Alex Salmond. Shirley recounted how Salmond performed a “miracle” to bring back the bodies of her husband and four other crew members after the incident that occurred on October 1, 1997. The tragic event took the lives of Robert Stephen, Adam Stephen, Bruce Cameron, and Victor Podlesny when their vessel sank off the Aberdeenshire coast.
Despite the UK government’s refusal to fund the recovery of the bodies from the sunken trawler, Salmond, who was then the MP for Banff and Buchan, led a campaign to raise £600,000 to lift the ship from the seabed. Shirley, now 51 and residing in Peterhead, expressed her everlasting appreciation for Salmond’s extraordinary efforts, stating, “We could not have done it without him. He achieved miracles for us. We will never ever forget what he did.”
The vessel, Sapphire, was successfully raised from the ocean bed on December 14, 1997, and the bodies of the crew members, including Robert, were brought back to Peterhead. Salmond personally visited Shirley to deliver the news of the recovery and attended all the funerals of the crew members. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) later attributed the tragedy to water entering open hatches and a faulty fish hold hatch, with only the skipper managing to survive.
Shirley, who had a two-year-old daughter at the time of the tragedy, highlighted how Salmond remained in contact with the families through Christmas cards and even sent her a gift when she remarried. In 2017, Salmond reflected on the experience, expressing his pride in helping raise the Sapphire. Additionally, he attended a fundraiser in 2017 commemorating the 20th anniversary of the sinking.
Salmond’s unwavering support and dedication to the families affected by the Sapphire fishing tragedy have left a lasting impact, with Shirley Henderson and others forever grateful for his compassion and efforts during their darkest hours.
Source: Daily Record (Date and Author)
Summary:
The article pays tribute to former First Minister Alex Salmond for his pivotal role in the aftermath of the Sapphire fishing tragedy, where he led efforts to recover the bodies of the crew members who lost their lives at sea. Shirley Henderson, a widow affected by the tragedy, expressed her immense gratitude towards Salmond for his unwavering support and described his actions as miraculous. Salmond’s compassion and determination in helping the families impacted by the incident have left a significant and enduring legacy.