This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/TeC.2ACE/1121.1 Message Board Post: There's a short-cut to mariners recorded on the 1881 census at http://www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/Site.html In 1881 the "Viking" was tied up at Banff with only William Still a widow age 53 from Woodside, Aberdeen, Scotland described as Watchman aboard. The "Margaret Reid" was at Bishopwearmouth, Co.Durham (Sunderland) with the following crew aboard. Alexander MCLEAN M 35 M Kilmuir, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Master Mariner Kenneth BAIN M 29 M Garlock, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Mate Benjamin MCINTOSH M 46 M Avoch, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Able Seaman Roderick MACLEAN U 18 M Kilmuir, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Ordinary Seaman George INNES W 57 M Invergordon, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland A B Seaman As Bishopwearmouth is at the mouth of the River Wear its possible she was picking up a cargo of coal. A vessel "Margaret Reid" was registered at the Port of Berwick in 1886, Owner B G Sinclair, described as a Schooner of 94 tons. I think its probable your granny was right.