The White Wife is the reconstructed figurehead of the Bohus, a German three-masted sailing ship, which sank at the Ness of Queyon on 26 April 1924, leading to the loss of four lives. The ship was on a voyage from Gothenburg to Chile, when the skipper, Captain Hugo Ferdinand Blume, made a navigational error. He mistook the Out Skerries light for the Fair Isle lighthouse, which put the Bohus 60 miles off course. Caught in a severe storm, the ship was dashed against a rocky spur called The Point of the Hatt, and within half an hour the ship was broken up. Some of the crew were able to swim ashore, and a prompt rescue effort from the men of East Yell (especially Willie Thomson of Wirliegarth, who managed to throw a line to the ship) saved many more. Josef Anton Eberth, a 23 year old cadet aboard the ship, also managed to save four members of crew, before being swept away himself. The 35 survivors were initially looked after in local homes and the four men who died were buried in the cemetery at Mid Yell.
About five months after the shipwreck, the figurehead washed ashore. It was in surprisingly good condition, and was renovated and placed as a memorial overlooking the site of the wreck. More information can be found in the nearby Old Haa museum in Burravoe, south Yell.
The White Wife is signposted from the B9081 between Mid Yell and Burravoe, and there is a small parking area near the trailhead. You will need to go through a gate and climb over a stile, but there is no need to climb over any fences. There is plenty of wildlife in the area, and on the day of placing the cache, this included a snipe, pipit, wrens, terns, oystercatchers and a red throated diver, as well as many wild flowers. If you are feeling energetic, you can extend your walk, following a scenic 6.5km circular route via Aywick, where there is an excellent shop/fuel (there is a map at the start of the walk to White Wife).
The cache is a small lock & lock box, which has space for a log, pencil and small travel bugs. Small items are included to trade - as always, please trade equal or above. Please ensure the box is properly replaced so that it is not visible, and does not blow away.
Congratulations to Kellyzeroes for First to Find.