Before modern weather forecasting and navigational technology, sailors found barometers very useful for forecasting the weather and planning their journeys.  Until the mid 20th century the herring industry involved much of the population of Dunbar with many of them being fishermen and often some died in stormy weather at sea so the understanding of the air pressure was essential. In 1856 a monument including a mercury barometer was erected beside Dunbar’s Old Harbour and
Presented to the fishermen of Dunbar to whose perilous industry the Burgh owes so much of its prosperity.
 
The relief above shows a fisherman in his boat while his wife points to the barometer and begs him not to sail.  An old woman in the boat is pointing to the dark cloudy sky while two boys prepare to cast off.
 
After a week of bad weather in autumn 1881 when it had been impossible to go to sea, the day dawned calm and clear in Eyemouth just down the coast from Dunbar and some fishermen were impatient as their money was running out.  Older fishermen warned them not to go fishing because the barometer was very low and a storm would arrive.  Sure enough when they were still within sight of the land the sky turned black and a fierce storm caused 189 men to die, leaving many widows and children without fathers and an income.
 
And weel may the boatie row,
That wins the bairns' bread!
 
A tragedy that might have been averted if they had heeded the warning based on the barometer