Robert GRAY
SOURCE BIRTH: Par Reg (F Scot 6 pt 5) MARRIAGE: registrars office in Scalloway DEATH: from the Shetland Times edition of 18 Nov 1899 BURIED: Tingwall Churchyard, Shetland Scot. CORR: Walter Mowat, Braehead, Scalloway, Shetland, Scot. in the 1950s OCCUPATION: Seaman in 1881 census dwelling - East Ha Resided in Lerwick until 1880 then moved to East Ha, Scalloway NOTE From the Shetland Times Re: The Late Robert Gray - There are few people who knew Robert Gray, Scalloway, master of the ill-fated Lerwick schooner, Bohemian Girl, but will learn of his untimely end with regret. He came of a race of sailors. His father also - Robert Gray - sailed skipper of the Prince of Wales, and other traders of a former generation, for many years, and was well know throughout the whole of Shetland. Robert Gray was born at Scott's Ha' Scalloway in 1847.--- when very young he took to the sea going coasting with his father when only 13 years of age. He was involved in his early days in the Faroe cod fishing then took up sailing in overseas ships. He was sailing for sometime on board the North of Scotland Company's steamers. PERSONALITY: Kind-hearted and cheerful with that sunny kind of nature that always looks at the bright side of things and laughs the frowns away. In all circumstances he was always found with a cheery word and a bright smile, and those who put his friendship to the test found it to be to that steadfast kind that nothing alters. In his home he was everything a loving husband and kind father could be, and now that that home is darkened by the shadow of death, the inmates have at least the satisfaction of knowing that the sympathy of the entire community is with them. BURIAL: On Monday, the remains were conveyed to their last resting place in the Tingwall Churchyard.
SOURCE DEATH: 8 Jan 1919 also is recorded CORR: with Walter James Gray son of Robert and Cecilia Gray when living at 198 Coobreeze Ave., Lakeside, Montreal 33, Que. (1965) Birth Place was given by Irvine Gray of Halifax, Nova Scotia. NOTE NAMES: Cecilia was known by Mam Ceelie and Auntie Ceelie and was universally loved in her community. OCCUPATION: raising 5 children and always availbable when neighbours were in difficulties. Her husband was almost a stranger to his children, so frequently on lengthy voyages. Walter mentions on one occasion his mother had gone to sell hosiery in Lerwick and had left young Ceelie, then about 18 months old, and himself 3 and 1/2 in charge of his older sister, Maggie. Without warning a beared man carrying a large bag on his shoulder arrived at the door and after hugging and kissing Maggie advanced towards Ceelie and me, who both fled in terror, hollering our peerie heads off. We younsters hadn't the faintest idea who the strange man was.
SOURCE CORR: with son, Robert Gray and his wife Clara Evens of Fairview, Halifax, N.S.
SOURCE CORR: with Mrs George Cowie, 70 Mirabel Ave. San Francisco, Cal. with Walter James Gray and his wife Joan Barbara Taylor of 198 Coolbreeze Ave, Lakeside, Montreal 33 Que. Walter is a brother to Margaret Isabella Gray
SOURCE CORR: with Barbara herself and her sister Cecilia (Irvine Gray) Cowie 1965 DEATH: from her sister by corrospondence on 9 Jan 1969 when she lived at 70 Mirabel Ave.. San Francisco NOTE 1. Barbara came to U.S.in 1905 Via Canada where she stayed for a few months. 2. Her last address was 436 Arlington St. SanFrancisco Cal. where she probably died.
SOURCE 1. From Cecilia Cowie while she lived at 70 Mirabel Ave., SanFrancisco Cecilia is a sister to Mary Williamson NOTE MARRIAGE: first to Cyril King and then to Frederick A. Stubbs Frederick died in 1951 DEATH: Mary was buried at Burnsland Cemetary in the Calgary area as that is where she was living when she died OCCUPATION: Mary was a linquist and played the fiddle and piano At one point she was a receptionist in Banff Springs Hotel.
SOURCE BIRTH: From Walter himself when he lived at 198 Coolbreeze Ave. Lakeside, Montreal 33 Que. MARRIAGE:from Walter and from his book "The Life Story of an Old Shetlander" DEATH: of Walter from Mary Grace (Cromarty) Johnson of Lerwick (29 Dec 1970) (note: Mary has his death recorded as of the 19th of Dec) NOTE OCCUPATION: was Scalloway's post man and telegraph messenger for a while. Towards the end of 1903 Walter took radio Operator training with Marconi International Marine Communication Company and pioneered a lot of firsts with radio off the East coast of Canada. Among many interesting things that came his way in pioneering with Marconi Walter ended up at Cape Race, Newfoundland 11 Oct 1911. He would be now handling messages from and to ships. The W/T Station was situated on the extreme S.E. Tip of Newfoundland, adjacent to a prominant lighhouse and fog alarm. It was while he was stationed at Cape Race and was officer in charge that he became involved a few weeks later in the greatest marine tragedy in history, the sinking of the "Titanic". Quoting form Walter's Book: "My operator friend Philips, who had been the last to bid me goodbye when I embarked on the Empress of Britain, on coming to Canada, was now serving on the S.S "Oceanic" and I made a point of saying "How Do" to him when his ship was in communication with Cape Race During our brief chat restrictions of these liberties were not nearly so severe then as they became later - he informed me that he was booked to join the grand new ship "Titanic" as chief wireless operator on her maiden voyage. Naturally, as the day approached which would bring the ship within range of Cape Race, we kept an unsually sharp lookout for her. After all, not only was she the wonder ship of the age, with every known safety device incorporated, until she was regarded as unsinkable, but we also had a monetary interest in the fact that with a large number of world-famous passengers on board there was bound to be a heavy exchange of private messages which, of course meant revenue for our station. Communication was extablished early on Sunday, April 14th, and, as anticipated, there were many messages on hand for transmission to us. At this time the ship was upwards of 700 miles S.S.E. of us, a much greatet-than- averge range in those days. That evening I took a trick between 8-9 p.m. and after clearing thirty-five messages from the ship, held brief conversation with Philips. He emphasised the magnificence of the vessel, the wonderful group of passengers and the good time being had by all. Later in the evening the second operator called out "Mr Gray the Titanic has struck an iceburg and is calling C.Q.D. I immediately dropped what I was doing and ran to the operating room. Donning the headpones, I heard Philips call for help using both distress calls, C.Q.D. and the newly-introduced S.O.S. His call included the ship's position in Latitude and longitude, weather conditions, and the story of striking the berg. When he ceased, I called the "Titanic" and enquired whether I could assist in any way. Philips thanked me and asked me to stand by. Meantime, more than one ship had heard the call and were ingaging Philips in communication. Philips had contacted quite a number of ships with a number of them changing course to come to the Titanic's assistance. Of course, it must be remembered that in the early stages, no one quite realized the gravity of the situation and that for an hour or more there was no thought of the ship sinking, for was not the "Titanic" an unsinkable ship? Perhaps the master and his officers knew differently, but elsewhere it was not recognised. It was only when Phiiips announced at 2 a.m. "we are now sinking slowly by the head, putting women and children off in boats, weather remains clear and calm", that the horror gripped. A short time after 2:00 a.m. a very week distorted signal was heard and the "Virginian" being much closer picked up what they thought was Philips voice trying te get a message out and that was the last word from the radio operator, Philips.
SOURCE 1. From Cecilia herself while she lived at 70 Mirabel Ave., SanFrancisco 1958 NOTE She came directly to SanFrancisco in 1920 from Shetland
He married Cecilia Irvine 17 Feb 1876 at Shetland, Scotland . Cecilia Irvine was born at Midgarth, Tingwall, Shetland, Scotland 31 Jan 1847 daughter of John Irvine and Barbara Goudie .
They were the parents of 6
children:
Robert Cecil Gray
born 19 Dec 1876.
Margaret Isabella Gray
born 19 Oct 1878.
Barbara Ann Gray
born 27 Nov 1880.
Mary Williamson Gray
born 17 Aug 1883.
Walter James Gray
born 14 Oct 1885.
Cecilia Irvine Gray
born 6 Oct 1887.
Robert Gray died 9 Nov 1899 at Scalloway, Tingwall, Shetland, Scotland .
Cecilia Irvine died 7 Jan 1919 at Scalloway, Tingwall, Shetland, Scotland .