| | | Article No 16 - The Navvy Riot of 1848
In 1846 many Irish labourers had been contracted to build the railway to Aberdeen. There had already been a number of breaches of the peace in the past as locals and Navvies Squared up to each other. The most recent the previouse weekend on 25th December 1847.
The following Saturday it is reported that over 200 navvies gathered in the town square in early afternoon. Summond it seems by the Town Bellman who had been contracted by one of the labourers to gather the rest about him. They then marches around the main street of old Stonehaven mob handed and in a generaly disorderly manner. After some mistreatment of the locals they proceeded to break windows of the local residents homes and in particular those whom they had encountered the weekend before.
They reportedly attacked a bystander near the Bridge of Stonehaven, the same only being saved from serious injury by escaping into a local shop. By this time the local Contabulary (numbering 5 in all) had gathered at what is now the Queens Hotel, but could do litle against this size of mob and were forced to make an undignified withdrawall. Unperturbed the rioters broke into the home of one local resident into which some of the police had fled.
By 5 O'clock the local residents had confronted the rioters at the Bridge of Stonehaven. After almost a pitched battle 20 or more local citizens were assaulted and left lying in the street. A Mr. William Murray from Inverbervie, who had been spending Christmas in Stonehaven with friends, and had been bludgeoned to the ground, died a few hours later. The mob eventualy dispersed at about 9 p.m. as word of Mr. Murray's death spread.
Soldiers of the 93rd Highlanders were stationed in Stonehaven for the next nineteen days, seven additional railway constables were appointed and, with special constables, the police force total was raised to 130. Five men were charged before Lord Cockburn with mobbing, rioting, malicious mischief, assault and culpable homicide.
One was jailed for a year, two for eighteen months, one who did not appear to answer the charges was outlawed. Donald Davidson, who was convicted of striking the blow that killed Mr. Murray was given seven years' transportation.
Acknowlegment to Archibald Watt and his Highways and Byways Round Stonehaven.
| |
|
