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Haaf fishing used open boats called sixareens, with six oars and a simple square sail. They ventured up to fifty miles out into the perilous North Atlantic ocean in a form of fishing that had been practised around the coasts of Shetland for generations. The crews often had to take risks with the weather, as without the benefit of modern forecasts and going so far offshore the chances of disastrous changes were ever present. Combined with this, the harsh landlords also required that fishing was attempted at every opportunity. As a consequence it was a very hazardous way of life and crews were often lost, but in 1881 this regular attrition became a full disaster.
For several days in late July 1881 the weather had been so inclement that not even these brave fishermen were foolhardy enough to venture to sea, but the 20th dawned clear with light winds.
Entirely unaware of an impending storm heading down from Iceland with hurricane-force winds, crews set out from Gloup and other little coastal settlements for the fishing grounds 40 miles offshore.
Of those that left, ten boats failed to return - six sixareens from Gloup, one each from Ronas Voe, Fethaland and Haroldswick and a small boat from Havera. 58 men lost their lives, 36 of them from Gloup. The disaster left 34 widows and 85 orphans.
The monument that now stands on the hillside of Gloup overlooking the Voe is of a woman holding a baby looking forlornly out to sea. It was erected one hundred years after the catastrophe.
For more information see the Shetlopedia articles on
Haaf fishing here Archive Link
The Gloup Disaster here Archive Link