Loch Ewe Naval Base

All that remains of the naval base at Cove, are these observational towers and the base for the gun emplacement. In the early 1940's, nearly 400 men were based here and it must have been even more bleak then than it is today.
On 25th February 1944, an American ship, SS William H Welch, ran aground here during the most dreadful storm. Despite the freezing conditions,  old Mrs Mackenzie, who lived in a nearby cottage, brewed up a huge jug of tea and carried it three miles, over the rocks and peat bogs to the shipwrecked survivors. She then walked the three miles back, to make more tea for the WRNS ambulance drivers. 100 people searched the area during that dreadful storm, which was still raging the following morning. Of the 74 crew members, only 14 people were found and only 12 survived. 

Having walked these three miles on several occasions, during daylight hours in none stormy conditions,  I can vouch for what an amazing act of bravery, selflessness and pure kindness this must have been. 

We received good news today. Baby T was born :-))