February 18, 1856

n THE Herald reported: ''At the Clyde Police Court on Friday six apprentices, in the employment of Messrs Barclay and Curle, shipbuilders, were transferred for trial before the sheriff on a charge of assaulting, seizing hold of, and intimidating two foremen carpenters in the employment of the same firm. It appears that the two men assaulted incurred the displeasure of the apprentices by working in the place of some men at

present out on account of bad conduct. To give expression to their disapproval of such a proceeding the apprentices foolishly seized the men, carried them shoulder-high from the yard, and threatened to pitch one of them into the river.''

n THE Herald also reported from Caithness: ''A crew of seven pilots, belonging to this district, have been missing since Wednesday last, and serious fears for their safety are entertained. They boarded a vessel, supposed to be an American, to pilot her through the Pentland Firth. In the evening the vessel was seen to the westward of the Island of Stroma, bearing eastward with the pilot boat in tow, as if preparing to put the men ashore.

''Since then, no trace of the crew or boat has been obtained and it is greatly feared that all on board have perished. In the event of the crew having been taken away by this vessel, it may take two months before intelligence can be received regarding them, unless communication has been had with the Western Isles.''