On 8 June 1904, at Portobello Police Court, Bailie Cameron passed sentences of fourteen days imprisonment each on Patrick Gibbons, a potter, and Thomas Burns, a pottery worker.
They were convicted on evidence of having stolen a silver watch from the pocket of a miner from Whitfleet while he was lying asleep on Portobello sands the previous Saturday.
On The Beach
1 September 1904 was not a good day.Two men met with serious accidents on Portobello beach.
In the morning a groom named Lang, in the employment of the Duke of Buccleuch, was thrown by a horse which he was exercising and which became restive and bolted. A compound frac ture of the right leg below the knee was the result and he was conveyed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
In the afternoon a young italian hawker named Antonio Taliercio, living in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, jumped so awkwardly from the promenade to the beach, a distance of some two feet, that he fractured his right thigh and was also taken to the Infirmary.
In the morning a groom named Lang, in the employment of the Duke of Buccleuch, was thrown by a horse which he was exercising and which became restive and bolted. A compound frac ture of the right leg below the knee was the result and he was conveyed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
In the afternoon a young italian hawker named Antonio Taliercio, living in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, jumped so awkwardly from the promenade to the beach, a distance of some two feet, that he fractured his right thigh and was also taken to the Infirmary.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
In the autumn of 1904 the Lord Provost's Committee turned their minds again to the control and regulation of Portobello beach.
Presumably there had been problems with visitors to the beach being hassled by itinerant vendors and entertainers during the previous summer, as the Committee debated the suggestion that the portion of the beach between Bath Street and the opening east of the pier should be kept clear of these kind of people in the interests of the convenience of the general public.
It was also agreed to allow bathing from any part of the beach until 9 a.m., provided that the bathers wore proper bathing costume.
Consideration was also give to extending the electric lamps on the Promenade, from the point where they currently terminated at the bandstand, to the end of the esplanade at Joppa.
It was argued that Portobello Promenade differed from an ordinary street in the town in that it was frequented by night as well as by day, especially by thousands of people on a Sunday. Where the electric lights were, the crowds could move with facility, which was not the case at the Joppa end, where the gas lamps gave little more light than glow-worms. In addition, there were seats on the Promenade and the occupants of those seats could be seen distinctly under the electric lights, but under the gaslamps it was difficut to know if anyone was there.
The following year, on 17 June 1905, estimates were sought by the Public Works Office for the work, and for improvements to the Bandstand and Shelter
Presumably there had been problems with visitors to the beach being hassled by itinerant vendors and entertainers during the previous summer, as the Committee debated the suggestion that the portion of the beach between Bath Street and the opening east of the pier should be kept clear of these kind of people in the interests of the convenience of the general public.
It was also agreed to allow bathing from any part of the beach until 9 a.m., provided that the bathers wore proper bathing costume.
Consideration was also give to extending the electric lamps on the Promenade, from the point where they currently terminated at the bandstand, to the end of the esplanade at Joppa.
It was argued that Portobello Promenade differed from an ordinary street in the town in that it was frequented by night as well as by day, especially by thousands of people on a Sunday. Where the electric lights were, the crowds could move with facility, which was not the case at the Joppa end, where the gas lamps gave little more light than glow-worms. In addition, there were seats on the Promenade and the occupants of those seats could be seen distinctly under the electric lights, but under the gaslamps it was difficut to know if anyone was there.
The following year, on 17 June 1905, estimates were sought by the Public Works Office for the work, and for improvements to the Bandstand and Shelter
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On the evening of 24 June 1905, while a boating party were rowing in the vicinity of the eastern end of Portobello Promenade, they were attracted to an object floating in the sea which proved to be the dead body of a man, apparantly past middle life.
The body was taken to Portobello mortuary where it was noted that it must have been about three weeks in the water.
In the pockets were some three shillings and a colliery worker’s excursion ticket of date 3rd June for the journey between Meikle Earnock and Edinburgh.
The body was taken to Portobello mortuary where it was noted that it must have been about three weeks in the water.
In the pockets were some three shillings and a colliery worker’s excursion ticket of date 3rd June for the journey between Meikle Earnock and Edinburgh.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
About 400 persons attended on Portobello pier on the evening of 2 July 1905 to enjoy the inaugural concert of a series to be given there on successive Sunday evenings during the season.
The programme was mainly composed of orchestral numbers and a band of professional musicians under the direction of Mr. George Burnley, musical director of the Lyceum and Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, gave a delightful rendering to the classical pieces selected. A male voice quartet and Miss Mary Brown, contralto, rendered vocal numbers.
The programme was mainly composed of orchestral numbers and a band of professional musicians under the direction of Mr. George Burnley, musical director of the Lyceum and Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, gave a delightful rendering to the classical pieces selected. A male voice quartet and Miss Mary Brown, contralto, rendered vocal numbers.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
About half past seven on the evening of 10 July, an alarming affair occurred on the water some 300 yards off the seaward end of Portobello pier, a boat having been run down and the lives of two men placed in jeopardy.
The men, whose names were James Purdie, 25 years of age and an iron driller residing at 2 St Peter’s Buildings, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh and John Ramsay, 17 years of age, an apprentice iron turner, 4 Yeaman Place, Edinburgh, had hired a small pleasure rowing boat and went out to try hand line fishing, anchoring their boat for that purpose.
The Stirling Castle, one of the Galloway pleasure steamers was returning from a cruise to North Berwick and was drawing near the pier when in passing she struck the small boat with her starward paddle and the two men were thrown into the sea.
Luckily they were tossed clear of the paddle. A rope was thrown from the steamer which was immediately stopped and one of the struggling men grasped it and held up his friend.
Another rowing boat with two young Portobello men came to the rescue and picked up the men who were transferred to the steamer which conveyed them to Leith where they were landed. Every attention was paid to them while on board the steamer which had lowered a boat to the rescue.
The rowing boat which was run down was towed ashore in a damaged condition.
The men, whose names were James Purdie, 25 years of age and an iron driller residing at 2 St Peter’s Buildings, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh and John Ramsay, 17 years of age, an apprentice iron turner, 4 Yeaman Place, Edinburgh, had hired a small pleasure rowing boat and went out to try hand line fishing, anchoring their boat for that purpose.
The Stirling Castle, one of the Galloway pleasure steamers was returning from a cruise to North Berwick and was drawing near the pier when in passing she struck the small boat with her starward paddle and the two men were thrown into the sea.
Luckily they were tossed clear of the paddle. A rope was thrown from the steamer which was immediately stopped and one of the struggling men grasped it and held up his friend.
Another rowing boat with two young Portobello men came to the rescue and picked up the men who were transferred to the steamer which conveyed them to Leith where they were landed. Every attention was paid to them while on board the steamer which had lowered a boat to the rescue.
The rowing boat which was run down was towed ashore in a damaged condition.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 28 October 1905, Rathbone House, No. 1 The Promenade, Portobello, went on sale following the death of its owner, Alexander Gray, who was a local Justice of the Peace. Included in the sale was his excellent piano.
Three days earlier the body of a respectably dressed woman who had been drowned was found on Portobello beach. In the evening it was identified in Portobello mortuary as that of Margaret Lawrie, thirty seven years of age, a baker’s shop assistant who had resided at 80 Abbeyhill.
She had left her home the previous evening to purchase chemical dressings for burns which she had on both her hands. A curious circumstance about the case was that there were two handkerchiefs tied about the woman’s nose and mouth when she was found.
Three days earlier the body of a respectably dressed woman who had been drowned was found on Portobello beach. In the evening it was identified in Portobello mortuary as that of Margaret Lawrie, thirty seven years of age, a baker’s shop assistant who had resided at 80 Abbeyhill.
She had left her home the previous evening to purchase chemical dressings for burns which she had on both her hands. A curious circumstance about the case was that there were two handkerchiefs tied about the woman’s nose and mouth when she was found.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The Promenade bandstand was well used during the early 1900s. The following is just a selection of the many bands who performed there:
The Portobello Brass Band
The Portobello B.B. Band
The Portobello Pipe Band
The Portobello Celtic Drummers
Dr. Guthrie's Industrial School Band
The Edinurgh and Leith Postal Band
The Band of the Royal Scots Greys
The bandstand was not just used for music, however. It was also a political platform. For example, on 17 January 1906 Mr. R.C. Munro Ferguson spoke to over 100 pottery hands and other workmen. He was heckled in regard to Irish Home Rule. He said he would support the Liberal Government’s Irish policy and expressed his keen delight over the Radical successes achieved.
The Portobello Brass Band
The Portobello B.B. Band
The Portobello Pipe Band
The Portobello Celtic Drummers
Dr. Guthrie's Industrial School Band
The Edinurgh and Leith Postal Band
The Band of the Royal Scots Greys
The bandstand was not just used for music, however. It was also a political platform. For example, on 17 January 1906 Mr. R.C. Munro Ferguson spoke to over 100 pottery hands and other workmen. He was heckled in regard to Irish Home Rule. He said he would support the Liberal Government’s Irish policy and expressed his keen delight over the Radical successes achieved.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
William Mure Craig ran the local hairdressing business in Portobello. A man of regular habits, he would go down to the pier every morning and dive off for his daily swim.
On the morning of 2 JUly 1906, however, he dived off but did not re-surface.
About half an hour later, a railwayman, who had gone down to the pier to fish, noticed Craig's body floating in the water on the west side of the pier and raised the alarm. The body was recovered by local boatmen.
On the morning of 2 JUly 1906, however, he dived off but did not re-surface.
About half an hour later, a railwayman, who had gone down to the pier to fish, noticed Craig's body floating in the water on the west side of the pier and raised the alarm. The body was recovered by local boatmen.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The Shows on Harbour Green could be a dangerous place.
On 4 August 1906 night a middle aged man named Robert Grant, who was a fireman, residing at 15 Iona Street, Leith, had his leg broken below the knee while swinging on the aerial flight at Portobello Promenade showground. In finishing the flight down the wire rope he came into contact with a post. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
On 4 August 1906 night a middle aged man named Robert Grant, who was a fireman, residing at 15 Iona Street, Leith, had his leg broken below the knee while swinging on the aerial flight at Portobello Promenade showground. In finishing the flight down the wire rope he came into contact with a post. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
One Sunday morning in August, James Murdoch, the Pier Attendant, found a jacket and cap lying on the upper deck at the seaward end of the Pier.
The cap looked like the type worn by railway engine drivers and in the pockets of the jacket were a pipe, a snuff box, a tobacco pouch, a piece of cotton waste and an engine driver's time book.
The following day it was reported to the Police that an engine driver belonging to the St. Margaret's depot was missing and a companion identified the clothing at the police office as his. The missing man had left home about half past eleven on the Saturday night.
A fortnight later, on the morning of 23 August 1906, the body of a man was found floating in the water off Leith west pier. Later in the day it was identified as that of Henry Bird, the engine driver who had disappeared. He was forty eight years old and left a widow and grown up family.
The cap looked like the type worn by railway engine drivers and in the pockets of the jacket were a pipe, a snuff box, a tobacco pouch, a piece of cotton waste and an engine driver's time book.
The following day it was reported to the Police that an engine driver belonging to the St. Margaret's depot was missing and a companion identified the clothing at the police office as his. The missing man had left home about half past eleven on the Saturday night.
A fortnight later, on the morning of 23 August 1906, the body of a man was found floating in the water off Leith west pier. Later in the day it was identified as that of Henry Bird, the engine driver who had disappeared. He was forty eight years old and left a widow and grown up family.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
And the drownings continued....
On 22 September Robert Stuart, for sixteen years a member of the Edinburgh police force was found dead under sad circumstances.
He had been in ill health for some time and under medical treatment. On the morning of the 22 his landlady missed him from his room in his lodgings in Bath Street Portobello and found a note in pencil addressed to herself and to a fellow lodger, signed by Stuart, announcing his intention of drowning himself from Portobello pier where he said his body might be found.
He had only been gone a few minutes but when the alarm was raised and two brother constables hurried to the seaward end of the pier they found Stuart’s jacket and cap only.
In the afternoon the body was washed up by the tide about a quarter of a mile west from the pier.
Stuart had been on duty at Portobello for the past six years. He was an Aberdeenshire man and unmarried.
On 22 September Robert Stuart, for sixteen years a member of the Edinburgh police force was found dead under sad circumstances.
He had been in ill health for some time and under medical treatment. On the morning of the 22 his landlady missed him from his room in his lodgings in Bath Street Portobello and found a note in pencil addressed to herself and to a fellow lodger, signed by Stuart, announcing his intention of drowning himself from Portobello pier where he said his body might be found.
He had only been gone a few minutes but when the alarm was raised and two brother constables hurried to the seaward end of the pier they found Stuart’s jacket and cap only.
In the afternoon the body was washed up by the tide about a quarter of a mile west from the pier.
Stuart had been on duty at Portobello for the past six years. He was an Aberdeenshire man and unmarried.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Over 600 people packed into Portobello Town Hall on the evening of 8 October 1906 to give voice to the local feeling of indignation at the vulgarisation of Portobello Promenade by the kinds of entertainments which the Council were permitting there.
The Rev. Robert Whyte of Regent Street United Free Church led the protest and put forward the motion that the meeting viewed with deep regret the licensing by the City Magistrates of the various open spaces on the Promenade and Harbour Green for undesirable and noisy amusements.
The whole character of the sea front was being lowered and rowdyism encouraged. All of this was likely to have an effect on the value of the neighbouring properties.
It was agreed that a deputation should be made to the Council at the earliest opportunity.
The Rev. Robert Whyte of Regent Street United Free Church led the protest and put forward the motion that the meeting viewed with deep regret the licensing by the City Magistrates of the various open spaces on the Promenade and Harbour Green for undesirable and noisy amusements.
The whole character of the sea front was being lowered and rowdyism encouraged. All of this was likely to have an effect on the value of the neighbouring properties.
It was agreed that a deputation should be made to the Council at the earliest opportunity.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
At the beginning of November, Edinburgh Town Council decided to recommend that the erection of the Joppa esplanade be proceeded with at a probable cost of £7,000.
It was also proposed that the promenade at the west end from the foot of Bath Street to Kings Road should be widened so as to give more elbow room to the great crowds which frequented that part.
Allegedly, it was owing to the narrowness of the Promenade that so much unseemly conduct was witnessed during the summer months.
There were frequently to be seen bands of young fellows amusing themselves by pushing people off the Promenade.
The time was right to acquire the necessary strip of ground at a cheap rate before the old buildings which occupied the ground were replaced by new ones.
It was also proposed that the promenade at the west end from the foot of Bath Street to Kings Road should be widened so as to give more elbow room to the great crowds which frequented that part.
Allegedly, it was owing to the narrowness of the Promenade that so much unseemly conduct was witnessed during the summer months.
There were frequently to be seen bands of young fellows amusing themselves by pushing people off the Promenade.
The time was right to acquire the necessary strip of ground at a cheap rate before the old buildings which occupied the ground were replaced by new ones.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Just before Christmas, 1906, Constable Rintoul was patrolling Portobello Promenade when he heard a woman scream, the cries coming from the direction of the sea.
The Constable immediately went into the water and some way out he found a woman clinging to the rails of the pier with just her head above the water. Another man, John Nolans who worked at Portobello Baths, also jumped in the water and, with difficulty, he and the policeman managed to get her to the shore.
The woman, Jessie Mutch, was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. There she confessed that she had attempted to end her life by jumping off the pier, but changed her mind after she hit the water and shouted for help.
Miss Mutch was a domestic servant, lodging at 30 Bath Street. She was charged with attempted suicide and taken before the court on 27 December. While finding her guilty by her own admission, the court let her go with an admonition.
The Constable immediately went into the water and some way out he found a woman clinging to the rails of the pier with just her head above the water. Another man, John Nolans who worked at Portobello Baths, also jumped in the water and, with difficulty, he and the policeman managed to get her to the shore.
The woman, Jessie Mutch, was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. There she confessed that she had attempted to end her life by jumping off the pier, but changed her mind after she hit the water and shouted for help.
Miss Mutch was a domestic servant, lodging at 30 Bath Street. She was charged with attempted suicide and taken before the court on 27 December. While finding her guilty by her own admission, the court let her go with an admonition.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 4 April 1907 the Edinburgh Dean of Guild Court granted a warrant to Harry Marvello, to erect a pavilion at the Tower, Promenade, Portobello.
The pavilion was for the purpose of holding entertainments on music hall lines and would give accommodation for 700 people. It was 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The roof was fitted up as a tea garden.
The pavilion was for the purpose of holding entertainments on music hall lines and would give accommodation for 700 people. It was 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The roof was fitted up as a tea garden.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
It seems that some issues never go away.
On 6 June 1907 Lord Provost’s Committee of Edinburgh Town Council considered a report on the whole matter of the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
It was agreed that the Town Council be recommended to take interdict against people removing sand from the beach without proper authority.
On 6 June 1907 Lord Provost’s Committee of Edinburgh Town Council considered a report on the whole matter of the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
It was agreed that the Town Council be recommended to take interdict against people removing sand from the beach without proper authority.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
In the days before traffic lights, the cross roads where Bath Street and Brighton Place meet the High Street were controlled by a Policeman, who stood in the middle of the road and regulated the traffic.
On 3 July 1907, Constable John Knipe was engaged in that duty, when he observed a pedestrian crossing over the junction and heading down Bath Street.
The person seemed familiar. PC Knipe thought that he recognised him as an ex convict called Alexander Learmonth, who was wanted by Perth police on a charge of theft by housebreaking.
Leaving the traffic to its own devices, PC Knipe followed his suspect down Bath Street and hailed him by name on Portobello Promenade.
As Learmonth admitted his identity, Knipe arrested him but on passing along Mentone Avenue on the way to Portobello Police office, Learmonth pretended that his bootlace had come loose and stooping to tie it, thrust his head between his captors legs and tried to upset him. A protracted struggle followed.
Learmonth, by menaces and kicks, kept back people who tried to assist the constable, but PC Knipe at last got him handcuffed. Assistance was then forthcoming and the man was taken to the Police office and locked up.
While in the cells, Learmonth attempted to strangle himself with his braces and had to have his hands secured behind his back by handcuffs. He was later charged and transported to Perth.
On 3 July 1907, Constable John Knipe was engaged in that duty, when he observed a pedestrian crossing over the junction and heading down Bath Street.
The person seemed familiar. PC Knipe thought that he recognised him as an ex convict called Alexander Learmonth, who was wanted by Perth police on a charge of theft by housebreaking.
Leaving the traffic to its own devices, PC Knipe followed his suspect down Bath Street and hailed him by name on Portobello Promenade.
As Learmonth admitted his identity, Knipe arrested him but on passing along Mentone Avenue on the way to Portobello Police office, Learmonth pretended that his bootlace had come loose and stooping to tie it, thrust his head between his captors legs and tried to upset him. A protracted struggle followed.
Learmonth, by menaces and kicks, kept back people who tried to assist the constable, but PC Knipe at last got him handcuffed. Assistance was then forthcoming and the man was taken to the Police office and locked up.
While in the cells, Learmonth attempted to strangle himself with his braces and had to have his hands secured behind his back by handcuffs. He was later charged and transported to Perth.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The Granton fishing yawl Sea Maid broke from her moorings at the end of Portobello Pier during a freshening easterly breeze on the morning of 18 April 1908.
With the majority of her crew aboard, she was driven ashore close to Portobello Promenade. Unsuccessful efforts to get her off were made during the afternoon.
Except for slight damage to the port gunwale, she was apparantly little the worse following the escapade.
With the majority of her crew aboard, she was driven ashore close to Portobello Promenade. Unsuccessful efforts to get her off were made during the afternoon.
Except for slight damage to the port gunwale, she was apparantly little the worse following the escapade.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Following an extensive inquiry into the removal of sand from Potobello beach, the Corporation of Edinburgh discovered, doubtless to their dismay, that they were primarily to blame.
It had been discovered that 75% of the sand removed was sold to contractors doing work for the Corporation itself!
It was recommended that the various committees, in making new contracts, should make it a condition that the contractors should not use sand from the foreshore at Portobello. (Perhaps optimistically, it was thought that such a provision would practically end the question.)
It had been discovered that 75% of the sand removed was sold to contractors doing work for the Corporation itself!
It was recommended that the various committees, in making new contracts, should make it a condition that the contractors should not use sand from the foreshore at Portobello. (Perhaps optimistically, it was thought that such a provision would practically end the question.)
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
11 August 1908 saw the ending of an old Fisherrow trade when the Edinburgh High Court banned the selling of mussels on Portobello beach.
This was the result of a series of incidents of food poisoning traced back to the eating of mussels sold on the sands.
Inevitably the Fisherrow fishwives made the case that the mussels which they gathered on the Musselburgh foreshore were perfectly wholesome, and greatly appreciated by the public. There had been no instances of food poisoning at any of the other places where they traded.
What had been happening, they contended, was that a number of young and irresponsible people had been gathering mussels from the rocks at Joppa, where the sewage pipe joined the sea, and selling them on the beach.
What was really needed were bylaws which required sellers to have licences. That way the Corporation could exercise effectual control over both the number of mussel sellers and the quality of the shellfish.
However, the Court decided that the only way to achieve full control was an outright ban, and mussel selling was forbidden on the sands.
As one correspondent of the Scotsman pointed out, that meant that it was now possible for anyone to sell mussels anywhere on the streets of Edinburgh and Portobello, but on the sand. In fact, the fishwives did a roaring trade on the Promenade.
This was the result of a series of incidents of food poisoning traced back to the eating of mussels sold on the sands.
Inevitably the Fisherrow fishwives made the case that the mussels which they gathered on the Musselburgh foreshore were perfectly wholesome, and greatly appreciated by the public. There had been no instances of food poisoning at any of the other places where they traded.
What had been happening, they contended, was that a number of young and irresponsible people had been gathering mussels from the rocks at Joppa, where the sewage pipe joined the sea, and selling them on the beach.
What was really needed were bylaws which required sellers to have licences. That way the Corporation could exercise effectual control over both the number of mussel sellers and the quality of the shellfish.
However, the Court decided that the only way to achieve full control was an outright ban, and mussel selling was forbidden on the sands.
As one correspondent of the Scotsman pointed out, that meant that it was now possible for anyone to sell mussels anywhere on the streets of Edinburgh and Portobello, but on the sand. In fact, the fishwives did a roaring trade on the Promenade.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Perhaps it was the increase in mussel selling on the Promenade, but in September 1908 Shopkeepers whose premises fronted on to the Promenade requested Bailie Carmichael to bring before the authorities their grievance against the hawkers who frequented the esplanade.
Bailie Carmichael promised to submit the request to the first meeting of the magistrates.
The shopkeepers complained that while they had to pay shop rates, assistants wages and taxes and had difficulty in making a decent livelihood, the hawkers, with none of these outlays, were allowed to patrol in front of the shops dealing in the same class of goods.
They suggested that the hawkers be relegated to a portion of the beach away from the shops.
Bailie Carmichael expressed the hope that next season the police would be instructed to deal with the hawkers and that the cause for complaint would be removed.
Bailie Carmichael promised to submit the request to the first meeting of the magistrates.
The shopkeepers complained that while they had to pay shop rates, assistants wages and taxes and had difficulty in making a decent livelihood, the hawkers, with none of these outlays, were allowed to patrol in front of the shops dealing in the same class of goods.
They suggested that the hawkers be relegated to a portion of the beach away from the shops.
Bailie Carmichael expressed the hope that next season the police would be instructed to deal with the hawkers and that the cause for complaint would be removed.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Bailie Carmichael was a busy boy during 1909. On 9 February he asked a series of questions of the Convenor of the Public Parks Committee as to the removal of sand from the beach at Craigentinny for the purposes of the public parks and asked whether or not the Convenor would recommend that the practice of removing sand from the beaches at Craigentinny and Portobello for use in the public parks would cease. The Convenor, Mr. Macfarlane, said that the contracts would shortly expire and that in the contracts for the following year Musselburgh sand had been specified.
At the bailie's insistence, in March The Lord Provost’s Committee recommended that no sand be purchased or taken for city ourposes from Craigentinny or Portobello foreshore.
It was agreed that the Corporation, as an experiment, should construct a groyne on the beach opposite the foot of Melville Street at a probable cost of £15. However, the Council was adamant that there was no question as to the deterioration of the beach at Portobello.
Some people held that the cause of the deterioration was the motion of the tide but by the tide the sand was only removed from one part of the beach to another. What the Council had to deal with was the permanent removal of the sand.
From the Leith boundary to the Figgate burn the Town Council had no power at all. If any parties had the right to prevent sand being taken from that part of the beach, they were the Crown authorities. But east of the Figgate burn matters were different because the Council had a lease of the foreshore from the Crown. In the lease it was stipulated that the Council should not take away sand from the foreshore and should prevent other parties taking it away.
That stipulation, however, did not affect the rights of third parties and the Town Council had been in the habit of buying sand from the parties who claimed these rights. When Portobello was a separate burgh the claimants never persisted in their rights but since amalgamation took place they had been left to do very much as they liked.
BY the end of the month the local M.P., R.C. Munro Ferguson, had received a letter from the Board of Trade with regard to the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
The Board of Trade observed that the question was, however, complicated by the fact thatthe removal of sand was being carried out entirely by certain private owners who claimed a proprietary right in parts of the foreshore included within the limits of the lease. The only way in which this could be stopped would be by the issue of a prohibatory order under Section 14 of the Harbours Act 1814. They wereprepared to consider an application for the issue of such an order. However, a difficulty had recently arisen with regard to this point in the case of a prohibatory order isuued by them for Hendon near Sunderland. In the circumstances it would be well to defer consideration of the question of the best mjeans of checking removal at Portobello until the High Court had given their decision in the Hendon case.
On 13 October, the Corporation finally agreed to ask the Board of Trade to make an order prohibiting the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
At the bailie's insistence, in March The Lord Provost’s Committee recommended that no sand be purchased or taken for city ourposes from Craigentinny or Portobello foreshore.
It was agreed that the Corporation, as an experiment, should construct a groyne on the beach opposite the foot of Melville Street at a probable cost of £15. However, the Council was adamant that there was no question as to the deterioration of the beach at Portobello.
Some people held that the cause of the deterioration was the motion of the tide but by the tide the sand was only removed from one part of the beach to another. What the Council had to deal with was the permanent removal of the sand.
From the Leith boundary to the Figgate burn the Town Council had no power at all. If any parties had the right to prevent sand being taken from that part of the beach, they were the Crown authorities. But east of the Figgate burn matters were different because the Council had a lease of the foreshore from the Crown. In the lease it was stipulated that the Council should not take away sand from the foreshore and should prevent other parties taking it away.
That stipulation, however, did not affect the rights of third parties and the Town Council had been in the habit of buying sand from the parties who claimed these rights. When Portobello was a separate burgh the claimants never persisted in their rights but since amalgamation took place they had been left to do very much as they liked.
BY the end of the month the local M.P., R.C. Munro Ferguson, had received a letter from the Board of Trade with regard to the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
The Board of Trade observed that the question was, however, complicated by the fact thatthe removal of sand was being carried out entirely by certain private owners who claimed a proprietary right in parts of the foreshore included within the limits of the lease. The only way in which this could be stopped would be by the issue of a prohibatory order under Section 14 of the Harbours Act 1814. They wereprepared to consider an application for the issue of such an order. However, a difficulty had recently arisen with regard to this point in the case of a prohibatory order isuued by them for Hendon near Sunderland. In the circumstances it would be well to defer consideration of the question of the best mjeans of checking removal at Portobello until the High Court had given their decision in the Hendon case.
On 13 October, the Corporation finally agreed to ask the Board of Trade to make an order prohibiting the removal of sand from Portobello beach.
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On 3 September 1909, Mr. Duncan Anderson, a potato merchant from 12 Church Street Dunbar was taking a little shooting practice at the showground rifle range on Portobello Promenade.
He had only fired one shot when the bullet rebounded from an iron plate and struck him on the chin.
Stopping the flow of blood with a handkerchief, he walked to the house of Dr. Inglis who extracted the bullet and dressed the wound.
Mr. Anderson was a well known rifle shot and a member of the Lothian and Border Horse.
He had only fired one shot when the bullet rebounded from an iron plate and struck him on the chin.
Stopping the flow of blood with a handkerchief, he walked to the house of Dr. Inglis who extracted the bullet and dressed the wound.
Mr. Anderson was a well known rifle shot and a member of the Lothian and Border Horse.
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A court martial met in Edinburgh Castle on the afternoon of 19 January 1910 to try Bombardier A. Curtis, 46th Battery, RFA on a charge connected with a collision between artillery horses which took place during manoeuvres on Portobello sands on December 27th.
Curtis, it was alleged, had been guilty of neglect of good order and military discipline in that he, when in charge of the exercising order of the Battery neglected to take reasonable precautions for the safe conduct of the parade, thereby causing the death of two army horses and serious injury to a third.
Curtis, it was alleged, had been guilty of neglect of good order and military discipline in that he, when in charge of the exercising order of the Battery neglected to take reasonable precautions for the safe conduct of the parade, thereby causing the death of two army horses and serious injury to a third.
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An accident occured on the afternoon of 18 April 1910 which resulted in the drowning of two English sailors who went to the assistance of an Edinburgh boating party in difficulties off Fisherrow.
The boating party consisted of five working lads of ages ranging from fifteen to twenty, all from Edinburgh, who hired a boat at Portobello Promenade and, despite the threatening nature of the weather, set out to enjoy a sail.
No sooner had they got out of the shelter of the shore than they caught the full force of the strong south westerly breeze and were driven down the firth.
The schooner Henrietta of Penrhyn was lying half a mile off Fisherrow harbour and as the Portobello boat swept past the lads hailed the schooner and pleaded for help.
With all speed two of the crew, and elderly man and a youth, got into the ship’s boat and hoisted the sail. Rapidly they bore down upon the helpless party but overran their mark. A fierce gust of wind struck the schooner’s boat at that moment and she keeled over and was swamped.
The two sailors were thrown into the sea and for a time the youths saw the sailors struggling in the water some fifty yards away. Then they disappeared. The young fellows could render no assistance and were themselves thankful when their boat ran aground on a sandbank at the low ebb mark of the sea. They escaped with a wetting and reported the sad affair to the Musselburgh police.
The swamping of the sailing boat was noticed from the shore but the people on the beach had a full mile of sand flat between them and the scene of the disaster.
Till the pilot boat could put off when the tide made after dusk it was impossible to get in touch with the Henrietta which was flying a flag of distress at her mainmast. After nine o’clock Mr Watson, pilot, Fisherrow went out with his yawl. Another Fisherrow yawl which had passed under the lee of the schooner and reached Fisherrow harbour shortly before eleven o’clock reported that there were only two young men of the crew left on board the schooner. The lost seamen were the skipper and his mate.
The boating party consisted of five working lads of ages ranging from fifteen to twenty, all from Edinburgh, who hired a boat at Portobello Promenade and, despite the threatening nature of the weather, set out to enjoy a sail.
No sooner had they got out of the shelter of the shore than they caught the full force of the strong south westerly breeze and were driven down the firth.
The schooner Henrietta of Penrhyn was lying half a mile off Fisherrow harbour and as the Portobello boat swept past the lads hailed the schooner and pleaded for help.
With all speed two of the crew, and elderly man and a youth, got into the ship’s boat and hoisted the sail. Rapidly they bore down upon the helpless party but overran their mark. A fierce gust of wind struck the schooner’s boat at that moment and she keeled over and was swamped.
The two sailors were thrown into the sea and for a time the youths saw the sailors struggling in the water some fifty yards away. Then they disappeared. The young fellows could render no assistance and were themselves thankful when their boat ran aground on a sandbank at the low ebb mark of the sea. They escaped with a wetting and reported the sad affair to the Musselburgh police.
The swamping of the sailing boat was noticed from the shore but the people on the beach had a full mile of sand flat between them and the scene of the disaster.
Till the pilot boat could put off when the tide made after dusk it was impossible to get in touch with the Henrietta which was flying a flag of distress at her mainmast. After nine o’clock Mr Watson, pilot, Fisherrow went out with his yawl. Another Fisherrow yawl which had passed under the lee of the schooner and reached Fisherrow harbour shortly before eleven o’clock reported that there were only two young men of the crew left on board the schooner. The lost seamen were the skipper and his mate.
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George Rice was a 22 year old labourer of no fixed abode, who had come up to Portobello from London around Christmas 1910.
Netty Sinclair was a married lady, living in Queen's Bay Crescent, Portobello, who was walking along the Promenade shortly after the festive break.
Alexander Laird was a scavenger, in the employment of Edinburgh Corporation, operating out of the refuse yard in Pipe Street.
Their paths co-incided just past the Tower Pavilion, where Rice knocked Mrs. Sinclair over and stole her handbag, containing her bank book and £3 12s in cash. Alexander Laird gave chase, managed to tackle Rice, and manhandle him to the police station.
On 2 January 1911 Rice was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment at Portobello Police Court and it was recommended by the Court that the Chief Constable award Laird £1 in recognition of his promptitude and resource.
Netty Sinclair was a married lady, living in Queen's Bay Crescent, Portobello, who was walking along the Promenade shortly after the festive break.
Alexander Laird was a scavenger, in the employment of Edinburgh Corporation, operating out of the refuse yard in Pipe Street.
Their paths co-incided just past the Tower Pavilion, where Rice knocked Mrs. Sinclair over and stole her handbag, containing her bank book and £3 12s in cash. Alexander Laird gave chase, managed to tackle Rice, and manhandle him to the police station.
On 2 January 1911 Rice was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment at Portobello Police Court and it was recommended by the Court that the Chief Constable award Laird £1 in recognition of his promptitude and resource.
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Talking about scavengers, the Scotsman's nature notes column of 11 March 1911 noted:
As a scavenger the rook is a most useful bird along the sea front.
Regularly every morning large numbers of rooks arrive on Portobello sands and distribute themselves over the entire beach, the congregation often extending from the extreme west end of the promenade to Joppa and numbering some hundreds of birds.
They commence to feed on the decaying matter and miscellaneous refuse which is often strewn about in considerable quantities. The rooks are adepts in discovering these amongst the wrack and weed which are littered about in great quantitiy.
Fights between the rooks and the gulls are of frequent occurrence. The herring gull is generally the aggressor.
As a scavenger the rook is a most useful bird along the sea front.
Regularly every morning large numbers of rooks arrive on Portobello sands and distribute themselves over the entire beach, the congregation often extending from the extreme west end of the promenade to Joppa and numbering some hundreds of birds.
They commence to feed on the decaying matter and miscellaneous refuse which is often strewn about in considerable quantities. The rooks are adepts in discovering these amongst the wrack and weed which are littered about in great quantitiy.
Fights between the rooks and the gulls are of frequent occurrence. The herring gull is generally the aggressor.
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On 13 March 1911, the following notice appeared, attached to the lampposts on the Promenade:
No person shall exhibit or permit or suffer to be exhibited any advertisement or erect or permit or suffer to be erected any hoarding or similar structure for the exhibition of advertisments so as to be visible from Portobello Promenade provided that this Bye-law shall not apply to any advertisement in the window of a shop or house or to any advertisement relating to the trade or business carried on or to any entertainment, meeting or religious service to be held in or in connection with or to any auction or sale to be held upon or in relation to the premises upon which such advertisement is exhibited or in relation to any property therein or to any advertisement announcing that the premises upon which such advertisement is exhibited are to be or have been let or sold.
Every person who acts in contravention of or fails to comply with the foregoing Bye-law shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds for each offence and to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings for every day during which the offence is continued after his conviction thereof and in default of payment to imprisonment in terms of the summary jurisdiction (Scotland) act 1908.
No person shall exhibit or permit or suffer to be exhibited any advertisement or erect or permit or suffer to be erected any hoarding or similar structure for the exhibition of advertisments so as to be visible from Portobello Promenade provided that this Bye-law shall not apply to any advertisement in the window of a shop or house or to any advertisement relating to the trade or business carried on or to any entertainment, meeting or religious service to be held in or in connection with or to any auction or sale to be held upon or in relation to the premises upon which such advertisement is exhibited or in relation to any property therein or to any advertisement announcing that the premises upon which such advertisement is exhibited are to be or have been let or sold.
Every person who acts in contravention of or fails to comply with the foregoing Bye-law shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds for each offence and to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings for every day during which the offence is continued after his conviction thereof and in default of payment to imprisonment in terms of the summary jurisdiction (Scotland) act 1908.
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It wasn't just advertisements that the Corporation were clamping down on.
On 16 May the full penalty for a first offence, namely £10 fine with sixty days imprisonment as the option was imposed on James Stewart, of 28 Wilson’s Park, Portobello, who pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found loitering on Portobello Promenade for the purpose of betting.
When arrested he had in his possession over £4 in cash, a number of betting slips and a settling book showing he had disbursed £5 in settlement of bets.
Another bookie, residing in Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh, who was charged along with Stewart, pleaded not guilty and was released on £10 bail pending trial.
On 16 May the full penalty for a first offence, namely £10 fine with sixty days imprisonment as the option was imposed on James Stewart, of 28 Wilson’s Park, Portobello, who pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found loitering on Portobello Promenade for the purpose of betting.
When arrested he had in his possession over £4 in cash, a number of betting slips and a settling book showing he had disbursed £5 in settlement of bets.
Another bookie, residing in Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh, who was charged along with Stewart, pleaded not guilty and was released on £10 bail pending trial.
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There was a seamen's strike in the summer of 1911 and Leith Docks were being picketed.
At half past ten on the night of 19 June, a petrol motor launch from Leith arrived at Portobello pier head almost unperceived in the darkness.
Almost simultaneously a number of strike breakers came from the lane opposite the shore end of the pier. They did not wait to have the pier gates opened but scrambled over the railings and, hurrying along, got on board the launch.
The officer in charge explained that these men had been signed on in Edinburgh at ordinary rates as a crew for the steamship Nigel. He also mentioned that the officers were taking out the steamship Mascot.
A small force of police in plain clothes and in uniform converged on the pier steps to ensure that the crew were able to get on board and had no difficulty in controlling the strikers’ picket and other persons who made unavailing appeals to the men to stay ashore.
At half past ten on the night of 19 June, a petrol motor launch from Leith arrived at Portobello pier head almost unperceived in the darkness.
Almost simultaneously a number of strike breakers came from the lane opposite the shore end of the pier. They did not wait to have the pier gates opened but scrambled over the railings and, hurrying along, got on board the launch.
The officer in charge explained that these men had been signed on in Edinburgh at ordinary rates as a crew for the steamship Nigel. He also mentioned that the officers were taking out the steamship Mascot.
A small force of police in plain clothes and in uniform converged on the pier steps to ensure that the crew were able to get on board and had no difficulty in controlling the strikers’ picket and other persons who made unavailing appeals to the men to stay ashore.
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9 September saw a yacht race for all comers off Portobello which attracted an entry of thirty one craft of which (twenty nine started).
Held under the auspices of the Almond Yacht Club and sponsored by the Edinburgh Marine Garden, the race was for six prizes presented by the directors of the Gardens.
A fine spectacle was presented as the boats, nearly all from Granton direction, sailed down to their moorings off Portobello pier.
Half an hour before the start the commodore’s boat, the motor cruiser Fiona gaily decorated with bunting, anchored opposite the Gardens bandstand.
The race was over a three legged course.A fresh easterly breeze held from early forenoon till after the race had finished. As the wind was easterly the course set provided a beat to the first mark, a run to the second and a reach home.
As it happened both marks were much further inshore than had been designed and the course having been shortened, the bigger craft were placed at a disadvantage. Most of the fleet got well away to good starts though, through crossing before their gun, three crafts were recalled.
In the reach home Seamouse took a fine lead and won.
Held under the auspices of the Almond Yacht Club and sponsored by the Edinburgh Marine Garden, the race was for six prizes presented by the directors of the Gardens.
A fine spectacle was presented as the boats, nearly all from Granton direction, sailed down to their moorings off Portobello pier.
Half an hour before the start the commodore’s boat, the motor cruiser Fiona gaily decorated with bunting, anchored opposite the Gardens bandstand.
The race was over a three legged course.A fresh easterly breeze held from early forenoon till after the race had finished. As the wind was easterly the course set provided a beat to the first mark, a run to the second and a reach home.
As it happened both marks were much further inshore than had been designed and the course having been shortened, the bigger craft were placed at a disadvantage. Most of the fleet got well away to good starts though, through crossing before their gun, three crafts were recalled.
In the reach home Seamouse took a fine lead and won.
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With the fine weather on 19 September, a large crowd visited Portobello beach. A special service of tramway cars was laid on to bring visitors from Edinburgh, Leith and Musselburgh. Thousands used the facility.
Unfortunately there was an interruption of the cable car service in the afternoon. The cable on the mile stretch between Portobello Power Station and Joppa failed. People were stranded and several hours passed before service was resumed.
For a time the service between Waterloo Place and Portobello was also stopped, but the situation was saved by the cross over at Kings Road. The cable in this section was running and by making Kings Road, alongside the Marine Park, the terminus, the cars were got running again.
Unfortunately there was an interruption of the cable car service in the afternoon. The cable on the mile stretch between Portobello Power Station and Joppa failed. People were stranded and several hours passed before service was resumed.
For a time the service between Waterloo Place and Portobello was also stopped, but the situation was saved by the cross over at Kings Road. The cable in this section was running and by making Kings Road, alongside the Marine Park, the terminus, the cars were got running again.
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In the middle of March 1912 residents of Portobello and Joppa noticed a number of men with picks and bags hacking away at the rocks below the salt pans.
It turned out these were men from Musselburgh getting supplies of good serviceable splint coal from the Niddrie seams which outcrop between high and low water mark The seams are in some cases a couple of feet thick and the strata are tilted almost to a vertical position.
After making the most of their opportunities for several days, the miners were effectively stopped from getting any more coal on the foreshore following protests from the local population.
It turned out these were men from Musselburgh getting supplies of good serviceable splint coal from the Niddrie seams which outcrop between high and low water mark The seams are in some cases a couple of feet thick and the strata are tilted almost to a vertical position.
After making the most of their opportunities for several days, the miners were effectively stopped from getting any more coal on the foreshore following protests from the local population.
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