John Gray
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
Master Mariner, Captain of SS "Great Britain", built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and at the time the largest vessel afloat and the first vessel fitted with a screw propeller.
John was born on 8th December 1819, at Vaaland, Westing, Unst, and died of malaria on board ship, returning from Australia on 26 November 1872, aged 52.
It is noteworthy that in addition to Captain Gray, the 1st and 2nd Officers on SS "Great Britain" were also Shetlanders, R Peterson and G Peterson, respectively.
