Missing Brit found on ship bound for Africa after disappearing for two weeks

31 March 2023 , 11:28

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Isobel Scot went to the cinema for an evening in Edinburgh in 1957 but failed to return home

Many parents know the anxiety after letting their children venture out into the world on their own for the first time.

Hours are spent worrying about their safe return, especially when they do not make it back in time for their curfew, Edinburgh Live reports.

And when a teenage girl had gone missing for over 12 days, it left her parents in absolute agony.

In 1957, Isobel Scott had gone missing for over 12 days after boarding an Africa-bound cargo ship.

Isobel, from Edinburgh, Scotland, had told her parents she had plans to go to the cinema.

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But when she failed to return home, alarms rang and a search team was launched to try and locate the teen.

For nearly two weeks the teen was nowhere to be seen and it had been believed that she was gone forever.

But in a shocking twist, it would be revealed that she was in fact on board a cargo ship, which was bound for Casablanca in western Morocco.

Isobel was found around 500 miles away hiding on board a Panama-registered cargo steamer

Isobel was almost 500 miles away hiding on the Panama-registered cargo steamer that had docked in Dover.

She was found hiding in the crew quarters as the ship headed for the long journey to Casablanca.

The Daily Mirror had reported at the time of her miraculous return back home.

At the time, Isobel's dad and ex-serviceman Mr Frank Scott said: "All I want is to get Isobel back home. It was a silly thing of her to do."

But questions still remained about how the teen managed to board the ship when she had initially planned for a trip to the cinema.

Well, instead of heading to the cinema, Isobel has headed down to the Leith Docks and boarded the 3,000-ton cargo ship.

She was not discovered until the boat was making its way to the African continent some 12 days later.

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Isobel's escape was reported by the Daily Mirror (pictured)

The crew had to radio over to Dover Police to make their shocking discovery known.

A pilot cutter sailboat was later organised for the teen to take her back to dry land.

It was reported at the time of her discovery, Isobel shared a joke and cigarettes with the crew of the rescue ship as she was transported back.

It has been suggested that Isobel had made the decision to board the ship in hopes of finding romance, but these beliefs were dispelled by her father who had travelled to Dover to take her home.

Isobel was then photographed at home by the Daily Mirror and expressed her regret at her spontaneous act.

She said: "It's certainly not fun stowing away – I found that out."

The local authorities said no criminal charges would be brought against the teenager.

Kris Gourlay