Captain Matthew Lindsay, Master Mariner; born January 28, 1933, died April 3, 1998

CAPTAIN Matthew Lindsay was born in Glasgow, the fourth eldest of a family of six. They lived at Roybridge for a time before moving to Trosaraidh, South Uist, when he was only four. He was educated at South Uist and left the island when he was 18 to embark on a seafaring career.

He got his first sea-legs in 1951 when he joined the Merchant Navy, officer training, on board his first ship, the M V Laguna, sailing out of Glasgow. His navigational qualifications stood him in good stead as he progressed through the ranks, serving with notable shipping companies, such as The Port Line, New Zealand Shipping Company, British India Company, and P&O.

In 1964 he married Christine MacInnes, who also hailed from South Uist. They settled in Glasgow and subsequently at Bishopbriggs, where they raised a family of three.

In 1966 he passed his Master Mariner's Certificate and within a comparatively short time he took his first command with the Harrison Clyde Shipping Company on M V Avon Forest.

He later commanded the M V Norse Marshall, Shropshire, Volnay, Norse Pilot, Ocean Valour, the Federal Clyde, and the newly launched M V Voreda at Japan on her maiden voyage.

He spent the next four years working with Ocean Tramping, commanding the M V Humanist and M V Vitorandis. His final command before retiring on September 21, 1995, was the M V Tranco Anity.

Captain Lindsay experienced many perilous situations abroad during his distinguished career, but his calm and composed manner, together with his soft Highland accent, were instrumental in sailing him out of troubled waters.

One particular incident of note that saddened him greatly happened in the Caribbean, off Panama during the communist takeover of Vietnam. He rescued a number of ''boat people'' after their small craft broke up and sank in heavy seas. Captain Lindsay, his officers and crew had the daunting task of recovering many bodies afterwards.

These voyages, however, were made more enjoyable when accompanied by his wife, Christine, and their children. The family will always fondly remember one voyage when they were all on board and on course from Canada to Hamburg.

They were sailing north on the western seaboard of South Uist, his beloved island; he cabled a message to his mother Joan, and his brothers, Donnie and Sandy, at Trosaraidh and before long a large crowd had gathered on the shore to wave them on.

Captain Lindsay was a dedicated family man and, despite his high profile position, he always had time to show charity and courtesy in every situation, attributes which characterised his sincere outlook on life.

This was evident, not only to his close circle of friends but also to those who enjoyed being in the presence of one who radiated kindness, charm, and lively humour.

Fois Shiorruidh thor dha a thighearna.