William Masterton (1839-1902)
Pilot
William Masterton, pilot in Burntisland (assisted by his nephew Adam Masterton), played a heroic part in rescuing two fellow pilots in heavy seas.
Genealogy
William Masterton was the tenth child and fifth son of John Masterton and Janet (Jessie) Cant of Torryburn. He was the third generation of seafarers in this branch of the very large family of Mastertons from in and around Culross in Fife, Scotland . A fuller genealogy of the extended family of William Masterton can be found at this link
NARROW ESCAPE OF BURNTISLAND PILOTS. - Two pilots named John Brown and Duncan Thorburn had a narrow escape yesterday from drowning between Burntisland and Inchcolm. While running out with their boat to board the steamer Vernon, from Grangemouth for Burntisland, a heavy sea swamped the pilot-boat close to the steamer, and the men were thrown into the water. They managed to climb on to the boat, and Brown, who is a capital swimmer, assisted his companion to renew his hold on being washed off. A small boat was promptly lowered from the steamer, but before it reached the drowning men, another boat, manned by Pilot Masterton and an assistant, by whom the accident had been observed, bore down to the spot and picked up the two men. Unable to make the harbour, they were landed at Rossend Point. The pilot-boat, with mast and gearing, floated away, and has not been recovered.
The Scotsman
5th April, 1889
BODY FOUND IN BURNTISLAND DOCK - Just before midnight on Saturday, Pilot Masterton observed the body of a man floating near the dock gates at Burntisland. On its being removed to the mortuary, it proved to be that of a young Swedish seaman, named Erick Manson, belonging to Stockholm. A federation shipping note, dated from Middlesborough, and a birth certificate were found in the deceased's pocket, showing that he was nineteen years of age. Dr Spence, after examining the body, which was somewhat decomposed, said it had been in the water two to three months. No seaman had been reported missing, and it has not been ascertained to what vessel the young man belonged. He is to be interred in Burntisland Cemetery to-day.
The Scotsman
18th March, 1901