Images of damage in Lerwick from the Shetland Museum archive
The ruined croft (gable facing camera)
of Clave at Aith Wick, Cunningsburgh HU 444 298. This croft was
abandoned after being swamped by three giant waves in the great
gale of February 16th 1900.
Storm of February 16th 1900
Significance: a major storm in the northern North Sea affected the southeast coast of Shetland
"After a week of gales the
wind rose to hurricane force and thousands of pounds worth of damage was done
in Lerwick alone. The sea breached the Esplanade and part of the road was
carried away. At Sumburgh the enclosures at the lighthouse were breached and
the area of boulders at Grutness was also moved due to the enormous seas sweeping
over the land. Five ships were lost and many men drowned in the most violent
storm Shetland has ever known." 