HIS GALLANT AND HUMANE CONDUCT IN RESCUING THE DROWNING.

First. JOHN ELLERTHORPE. (1820.)

He was my father, and I was not more than fourteen years of age when I saved him. At the time he managed the ferry boat from Hessle to Barton. It required two persons to conduct the boat across the Humber, and as it cost my father a shilling each time he employed a man to assist him across, he often took me with him instead of a man, and thus saved the shilling. One morning, he took Mr. Thompson, corn miller, to Barton, and engaged to fetch him back at night; and there was this agreement between them, that my father was to receive the fare whether Mr. T returned or not. He did not return that night, though we waited for him until nine o’clock. The snow was then thick on the ground, the wind was blowing strong, and the waves were beginning to rise high in the Humber, and I was sitting, half-asleep, at the corner of a comfortable hearth, before a bright fire, when my father called out, ’Come, my boy, we’ll be off.’ We were soon in the boat, but had not got many yards, when my father fell overboard. I remember crying out most piteously, ’Oh, my father is overboard,’ when I instantly plunged into the water and soon had fast hold of him. He had sunk to the bottom, a depth of sixteen feet, for when he came up he was covered with mud. We came up close to the boat’s side, and, making a tremendous spring, I got hold of the boat’s gunnel, and after a few moments my father also got hold of it with both his hands. He was a heavy man, weighing about fifteen stones, and could not swim. I said to him, ’Now, father, can you keep hold while I fetch the Hull horse-boatmen?’ whom we had left at the water-side house, when he replied, ‘Yes, but be very sharp, my lad.’ I then swam to the house, and called out, ‘My father is overboard;’ and when I returned with the men, I was glad to hear him shout, ‘I’m here.’ John Thrush, captain of the horse-boat, and Luke Dixon, soon got him into the boat, while Mr. Wood, the landlord, brought him a glass of brandy, which he drank. We could not persuade him to leave the boat, so we again started for home, and as a brisk wind was blowing at the time, in about fifteen minutes, we were safe in Hessle harbour. My mother met us there, and I said, ’Mother, my father has been overboard, fetch somebody to help him out of the boat.’ He was stiff and cold, but with the aid of Mr. Wright we got him ashore. Mr. W. brought him some mulled ale and a glass of rum, which I then thought very good. We then wrapped him in several thicknesses of warm clothing. I was much perished at the time, but soon felt all right. Not long before this, my mother had given me a severe flogging for bathing so often; so I looked into her face and said, ‘Mother, I think you won’t flog me for bathing again, will you?’ to which she replied, ’Oh, my lad, it was a good job that thou was there;’ when my father faintly added, ’Yes, if he had not been there I should never have come to the top of the water.’ And if he had he would have been drowned, for he could not swim a yard; and had he shouted, no one was near to render him assistance. But, thank God, I was there, and answered the end of a gracious Providence, and that was enough. Now, my father never liked to have this circumstance named, though I have often heard him say, ‘That lad saved my life.’ Afterwards, my mother never liked him to cross the Humber after dark, unless I was with him; so I often had to accompany him when I would much rather have been at a warm fireside, or asleep in bed. Witnesses John Thrush, Luke Dixon.

Second. WILLIAM EARNSHAW. (1820.)

There were two brothers, Robert and William, sons of Mr. Earnshaw, of Hessle. They were about my own age, and, like myself, they were very fond of bathing. Their mother used to blame me for taking them into the water so often; but it was less my fault than theirs, for they used to fetch me from school and I have known them give the schoolmaster a shilling to let me go with them. One day, we went to bathe in the drain, and fearing our parents might see us, we went a long way up the bank and then began to swim; at length I heard some one call out ’William Earnshaw is drowning!’ I was then a hundred yards from him, but I hastened to the bank and ran as fast as I could, until I got opposite him, when I again plunged into the drain and swam to my young friend’s rescue. His brother was weeping, and said, ‘All is over with him,’ and I thought so too. I could but just see the hair of his head, when I darted at him and gave him a great push, but he was too far gone to take hold of me, so I shoved him on and on, until his brother could reach him, when we put him on the bank and thought he was dead; but he soon began to breathe, and, after a while, came round. At that time I was in great disgrace with Mrs. Earnshaw, and afraid lest, if we told of William’s narrow escape, she would never let us go together again, we vowed to keep the affair a profound secret. Soon after this the two brothers were taken ill, and poor William died, and the doctor said this illness was brought on by their too frequent bathing. They didn’t bathe half so often as I did, but it was evident their constitution could not bear the water so well as mine. Mr. Earnshaw was a rich man and very liberal, and, I believe, if he had known the real nature of the case, as I have described it, so far from blaming me, he would have rewarded me for what I did for his son. I kept the promise I made to William for upwards of forty years; but as Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw and their sons are dead, and as a large circle of my friends are wishful to have a list of the lives I have saved, I think I am not doing wrong in recording William’s deliverance in this history of my life.

Third. ROBERT PINCHBECK. (1822.)

This case was very similar to the one I have just described. Robert, who was about fifteen years old, was a companion and schoolfellow of mine, and was fond of imitating my exploits in the water. One day he told some boys that he could swim across Hessle Harbour; but, in making the attempt, he nearly lost his life. I was about forty yards ahead of him, when I heard some boys cry ‘Bob Pinchbeck is drowning.’ He had gone down thrice, and was quite exhausted when I got to him, and he was saved, as it were, by the skin of his teeth. I feared he might seize me, and, therefore, I did not take hold of him, but pushed him before until he reached the long grass on the harbour bank. He could not use his limbs, and I thought he was dead, but he soon revived a little. We took him to my father’s house and sent for his mother and a doctor; but when they arrived, he was breathing nicely, and after a few hours, he walked home. His father, though vexed by his son’s disaster, said to me, ’You must teach him to swim.’ I tried hard to do so, but the water always frightened him, and he never made much out at swimming. A few years after this he died of the typhus fever, and I believe his soul went to heaven. Witnesses John Campbell, Francis Pinchbeck.

Fourth. HENRY IBOTSON. (1824.)

Henry, myself, and others had been bathing in Hessle Harbour, and I had just left the water and dressed, when a cry was raised, ’Ibotson is drowning.’ I sprang to him, when he seized me so tightly and closely, that we had a narrow escape from being drowned together. At length I got myself clear, and took him to the bank, amid the shouts and cheers of a great many spectators. We had great difficulty in walking home, and when we got there we had to be put to bed. Mr. Booth, gardener, of Hessle, and who was the next person I rescued, says: ’You may have forgotten, but I well remember, that a few days previous to your saving my life, you saved the life of H. Ibotson. It had well-nigh cost you your life, as he closed in upon you, and took you to the bottom.’ A few days after Henry came and thanked me most sincerely for what I had done, and wished me to teach him to swim. I began at once, and he soon got that he could swim across the drain; but it was a long time before he durst venture to swim across the harbour, in which he had so nearly been drowned.... Now, I would ask, why did not some of these spectators render help in this time of need? Could nothing have been done when they saw us sink together, again and again? Within fifty yards there was a boat, with boat-hooks and staves, and could no use have been made of these, to lessen, the peril in which myself and the drowning youth were placed? I am convinced that great numbers of people are drowned through spectators not making a little effort at the time. Witnesses George Twiddle, Robert Riplington.

Fifth. GEORGE BOOTH. (1825.)

He was bathing in the drain at Hessle, when a large tide was being taken in, and he began to sink fast. I was at a great distance when the alarm was given, but I ran to his assistance, plunged into the water, and soon brought him safe to land. Mr. Booth’s gratitude has given me the greatest satisfaction. I had not seen him for many years, and had forgotten the circumstance altogether, until I met him at the funeral of R. Pease, Esq., when he said, ’I’m glad to see you once more, Mr. Ellerthorpe. Don’t you remember when you leaped into the drain forty years ago, and saved my life?’ And in a note I got from him, dated July 31st, 1867, he says, ’Under the blessing of Divine Providence you were instrumental in saving my life. I was sixteen years of age, and in July, 1825, I was bathing in Hessle drain, when a very large tide was being taken in. I shall ever have cause to thank you, as the instrument in God’s hands, of saving me from a watery grave.’ George Booth.

Sixth. ROBERT CLEGG. (1825.)

He was both owner and captain of the keel ‘Ann Scarborough,’ the vessel from which I lost the brush at Clark’s Bit. He went one dark night to Moreton, and as he did not return at the time expected, I felt very uneasy about him, and at last I went on the bank of the Trent, in search of him. When I got near Moreton-bite, I thought I heard a groan; and after a long search I found my captain, drunk, half in the water and half on the bank. The tide was half flood, and was then rapidly rising, and had it risen a foot and a half higher, he must have been drowned, as nothing could have saved him. I struggled with him for three quarters of an hour, and after great exertions, I got him fairly on the bank. We were then a mile and a half from our vessel, and did not get on board until three o’clock next morning. A doctor had to be got, and soon the captain began to recover. But the keel was delayed two days. He was afraid lest his wife should get to know the cause of this delay, and he bound me to keep the affair a profound secret. But he often said, afterwards, ‘Jack saved my life.’ And I am quite sure I did, as no one came near us, and there was no other chance of his being rescued. I never allowed this case to be put in the list of those whom I have saved, but having given a true statement of the case, I think I shall be pardoned for giving it a permanent record here.

Seventh. NAME NOT KNOWN. (1826.)

He was a coachman, but his name I never knew. He was conducting some ladies on board the ‘Sir Walter Scott,’ when, being drunk, he fell overboard, between the smack and the wharf, Irongate, London. There were but seven feet depth of water, and I had to leap from a height of at least sixteen feet; but I succeeded in preserving him from what seemed certain death. He was covered with mud, but was soon washed, and got on some dry clothes. After I had changed my clothes, and drank a glass of whisky, I returned to the vessel, and the ladies and gentlemen gave me a thousand thanks. The captain’s name was Nisbet, and ever afterwards he would have given me almost anything; whenever I met him in London, he used to call the attention of his passengers to me, and tell them what I had done. Many a time has he sent for me on board his vessel, and given me as much drink as I would take, and he used to say to the passengers, ’See! this young man jumped over our ship’s rail, when there was not more than seven feet of water, and made a rope fast to a man when there was no other way of his being saved. If I had not seen it I could not have believed that any man could have done it.’ He often said, ‘Whenever you want a berth come to me and I will give you one.’ Witnesses Thomas Macha, Richard Boras.

Eighth. CHARLES HIMSWORTH. (1828.)

At this time, Himsworth and myself belonged to the brig ‘Jubilee,’ of Hull. We were bosom friends, and very fond of spreeing about, and spent much of our time when ashore in dancing parties and in ballrooms. Whether at Hull or in London, if we could but find a place where there was plenty of noise and a fiddle going, that was the place for us. We have often spent many days’ hard earnings in a few hours, amid such scenes. On this occasion he fell from the bows of the ‘Jubilee’ while a strong ebb tide was running. I jumped in after him, and we both went under a tier of vessels that were hung at the buoy, Battle Bridge, London. We came to the surface, but were soon carried under another tier of vessels, and had not the mate have come to our assistance we should have gone under a third tier, but he came at the last extremity and saved us. Charles belonged to a very respectable family living at Snaith, where I once called to see his mother, who was a widow. Her son Thomas and I became intimate friends, after I had rescued Charles, and he often said he thought as much of me as he did of his own brother. Alas! the two brothers met with untimely deaths. On the morning of January the 25th, 18 , I saw Thomas put out to sea, and in about half an hour the boat capsized, and he and five other men were drowned. Charles got married, and became master of a vessel, but alas! he and the crew were drowned. Witnesses William Howarth, Joseph Johnson.

Ninth. JOHN KENT. (1828.)

He was a native of Hull, and a shipmate of mine on board the ‘Westmoreland.’ While in a state of intoxication he jumped overboard into the Diamond Harbour, Quebec, intending to swim to land, but sank at a distance from the vessel. A boat, manned with foreigners, was passing at the time, and Captain Knill called to them to pick up Kent. They pulled the boat towards him, but Kent, in trying to lay hold of it, missed his grasp, and the next moment he was under the boat. The captain then called to us on the stage, and said, ’Be sharp with your boat, or the man will be drowned.’ We did not then know who the man was, but, with the quickness of true sailors, we were in the boat in a minute. By this time he had been carried to a great distance from the ship, as the ebb tide was running strong and fast. I was forward in the boat, and on reaching the spot where he was last seen, I plunged under the water, and in a moment I saw the man, and was surprised to find it was my friend, John Kent. I dived to a depth of twenty-five feet, and had him right above me; I soon had hold of him, and though I had to swim against the ebb tide, we were soon at the boat’s side, when I said to the men, ‘Never mind me, pull him into the boat,’ but he had such fast hold of my arm that they had to pull us in together, and even then it was with great difficulty they broke his hold of me. He was so far gone that for a long time we did not know whether he was living or dead. At length he showed signs of life, but recovered slowly, and did not work for several days. After twenty-five years’ separation, I met Kent in the streets of Hull, and he remembered, with every mark of gratitude, his wonderful deliverance. My arm was much bruised, and almost as black as a coal. I could not lift it as high as my head, and I said to the captain, ’I am afraid I shall not be able to work to-day,’ when he kindly said, ’Never mind the work, surely thou’s done enough for one day; take care of thy arm,’ and he gave me something with which to rub it. It remained stiff for a long time, and gave me great pain. I hope to be pardoned for adding that, I was a great favourite with Captain Knill, and spent many hours with him ashore when I ought to have been aboard taking in timber. He was a kind man and a good captain, and often, after my drunken sprees, he would call me down to the cabin and there talk to me as a father would talk to his son. And these friendly counsels produced a deep impression upon my mind, and did me far more good than a ’blowing up’ would have done. Through respect for him, I used to guard against drink, but alas! I was often overcome. I cherish an undying respect for the memory of my dear Captain Knill. Witnesses Captain J. Knill, John Hickson.

Tenth. GEORGE WILLIAMS. (1830.)

He was a sailor on board the ship ‘Rankin,’ belonging, I think, to Gilmore and Rankin. He fell overboard with a timber chain round his neck, and went under a raft of timber. Some men saw him fall overboard, and called for me. I ran as fast as I could, and had to step from one piece of floating timber to another; however, I soon reached him, and brought him up with the chain round his neck. He was completely exhausted, and it was half an hour before he could walk. This man’s captain sent for me to give me some money for rescuing one of his crew; but fearing he might stop the sum out of the man’s wages, I refused to go; for I did not want anything for what I had done. He was offended, and when ashore told Captain Knill of my refusal. So to please my captain, I went on board the ‘Rankin,’ when the captain shook hands with me, and said, ’Captain Knill tells me you won’t take any money for saving one of my crew. I think you ought. Had you saved my life I would have given you twenty pounds, and I think you ought to take a sovereign for what you have done. Now take it, and I will make him pay me back.’ He then sent for the man, who looked wretched and seemed to think I had gone for money; and when his captain said, ’Now, what are you going to give this man for saving your life,’ he replied, ’I have nothing to give him.’ I didn’t want the poor man’s money, nor would I have taken any if he had had his pockets full. I then went forward to the crew, when the captain sent us what sailors call ‘a mess pot.’ I drank a great deal of rum that night, for I had to sup first with one and then with another, and each drank to my good health, and when I left they gave me a good hearty ’English cheer’ such a cheer as only ‘jolly sailors’ can give. Captain Knill was pleased that I had been so firm in refusing to take any money from the poor man, and it was enough for me that he was pleased. And I can declare, most solemnly, that hitherto I have not received so much as a halfpenny from any of those whom I have saved. I have got many a glass of grog, but never any money. Witnesses Captain J. Knill, John Hickson.

Eleventh. MARY ANN DAY. (1833.)

She was a little girl, a native of Ulceby, in Lincolnshire, and fell from the ‘Magna Charter’ steamer into New Holland harbour. I sprang in after her while the paddle-wheels of the steamer were in motion, and brought her ashore, though at a great risk of losing my own life. The noise of the paddle-wheels, the screams of the girl’s mother, and the confusion and shouts of the passengers, made this a very exciting scene, but it was very soon over, and the little girl, having got some dry clothes on, her mother brought her to me, and said to her, ’Now what will you give this gentleman for saving your life?’ when she held out her little chin and, with a full heart, said, ‘A kiss.’ She gave me a kiss, and O, what a kiss it was. I felt myself well paid for my trouble; indeed, I made the remark at the time, that I was never better satisfied than when that child kissed me. ’It is said that Cicero had two courtiers on whom he wished to bestow favours. To one he gave a golden cup, and to the other a kiss. But the one that got the cup was very dissatisfied. He said, ’In the kiss I see something more than the cup, though that is valuable, but in the kiss there is affection, and it betokens better things.’ And I am sure I felt a greater sense of delight, and higher satisfaction at the moment when that grateful child kissed me, than I did when my fellow townsmen, with their wonted generosity, presented me with one hundred and thirty guineas, and other mementoes of my doings; all of which I prize most highly, and which I trust will be preserved as heirlooms in my family, as long as the name of Ellerthorpe shall continue. I have been told that this girl is married and has a large family, and that she is now living between Beverly and Hull. Whether this is true I cannot say, but I know she has never paid me a visit, which I think she might have done, supposing the above statement to be correct. Should this meet her eye, it may refresh her memory, and I assure her she would meet with a hearty welcome from her former deliverer, now living at the Humber Dock-gate, Hull. Witness Captain Oswald James Teny.

Twelfth. HENRICH JENSON. (1833.)

He was a foreigner, about forty years of age, and fell into the Humber Dock basin, one dark night, in the month of November. I was walking on the dock side at the time, when I heard a splash in the water, and in less time than it takes to write these few lines, I plunged in after him, and found him in a drowning state; I seized him, and with the assistance of some bystanders, soon had him safe on land. He rapidly recovered and I heard no more of him for years, when a man, a foreigner, called at my house and gave me the man’s name and thanked me for saving his life. He said, ’If ever Jenson comes to Hull again, you may rest assured he will call and see you, and give you personal thanks.’ I said I should be glad to see him, but that I should not take anything from him for the little service I had done him. This case was fully reported in the local papers at the time, and gave rise to a great deal of talk in the town of Hull, and its vicinity, as many well remember. John Barkworth, Esq., timber merchant, of Hull (who had known me from a boy), in company with some other gentlemen, met me one day, and said, ’Well John, you have saved another man,’ and turning to those with him, he said, ’Here is a man that never stops, whatever kind of weather blows, but in he plunges and fetches the drowning person out. Look at his last case! On a dark cold night in November, he hears a splash, and in he goes and saves a man. Gentlemen, the town ought to do something handsome for him.’ He gave me half-a-crown, and each of the other gentlemen gave me the same sum. As these gentlemen had plenty of money, and as none of them had any connection with the man I had saved, I accepted their gifts, and felt pleased that my services had been acknowledged in the manner I have described. Witness James Smith.

Thirteenth. ASHLEY TAYLOR. (1833.)

He was seventy-five years of age, and fell from the landing place of the Grimsby packet, opposite street, Hull. At that time I belonged to the New Holland steamer, and having lost my tide at four o’clock, p.m., I went down to meet the packet which arrived at seven o’clock at night. Mr. R. Curtis, Mr. Lundie, and myself, were walking near where the boat was expected to land, when we heard a great splash in the water, but could not see anything. We ran to the corner of Pier-street, and there we saw something in the water, but nothing stirred. At length Mr. Lundie said, ‘I believe it is a man overboard.’ I then looked more closely, and sure enough it was a man. He had on one of those old fashioned great coats, with three or four capes, and which were worn by gentlemen’s coachmen and boots, forty years ago; and as the capes were blowing about in all directions, it was with great difficulty I found his head. I had to turn him up and down, to the right and left, topsy-turvey, before I could get his head clear. I took him to the ‘Piles,’ and held him there, until a young man, who now drives a cab in Hull, came to our assistance with a boat. We took the old man to the Humber dock watch-house, and sent for Dr. Buchan, who used the Royal Humane Society’s apparatus, and also gave the old man a steam or vapour bath. I stayed with him in my wet clothes till he spoke, and then I went home and got on some dry raiment. During my absence, they took this old man to Mr. Hudson’s lodging house, in Humber-street. The night was cold, and the old man had had a warm bath, and to expose him to the night air under such circumstances was enough to kill him. When I arrived from New Holland, at nine o’clock next morning, a person met me and said, ’The old man is dead.’ Witnesses Richard Curtis, Richard Lundie.

Fourteenth. RICHARD CHAPMAN. (1834.)

Unlike the last case, Richard was a fine boy, only seven years old: he was the son of the late Mr. Chapman, pilot, and also brother of Mr. Chapman, painter, of Hull. He fell into the water from the Hull Dock Pier. At the time, I was on the deck of my packet, smoking a pipe, when I heard some one call out, ‘A boy overboard.’ I sprang from the deck, ran to the spot, plunged into the water, and in a few moments I had the boy safe ashore. I then hastened home, got on some dry clothes, and in less than half an hour I had started with the packet for New Holland. When I returned, Mr. Chapman met me and said, ’John, was it you who saved my boy?’ ’I can’t say, but I know I saved somebody’s boy, is he yours?’ I replied. ‘Yes,’ said the rejoicing father, ’I’m glad you were there, what am I in your debt?’ ’Nothing, Mr. Chapman. I am as pleased as you are, and you are quite welcome to what I have done,’ was my reply. He then said, ‘Come in here and have something to drink,’ when we went to the Minerva Hotel. Mr. Chapman pulled a handful of sovereigns from his purse and said, ‘Now do take something for saving my boy,’ but I again refused, though I believe to this day he would gladly have given me L10 if I would have taken that sum; but I never did take anything from anyone whom I have rescued, though often urged to do so. I think it was on this occasion that I received L1 from the Hull Royal Humane Society. Mr. Collinson, a gentleman, was on the pier when I saved Master Chapman, and he came and asked me what was my name, to what ship I belonged, where I lived, &c. Soon after, I was called by some gentlemen into the Minerva Hotel, where Dr. Wallis shook me by the hand and said, ’I have often heard of you, and it gives me great pleasure to see your face and hear your voice.’ He gave me a note to take to the Trinity House for L1, which I got, and another which I took to Watson and Harrison’s bank, where I got another sovereign. I felt pleased with these acknowledgments of my services, and oftener than once after this I was sent to the same places, and got L1 each time, after I had rescued a human life. The funds of the Trinity House were soon exhausted, and several gentlemen requested me to prepare a list of the persons I had saved from drowning at Hull, New Holland, Barton, and Hessle, and to get it signed by living witnesses. The persons saved by me, for which I had received no public acknowledgment, numbered five, and they gave me L5. Altogether I have received eleven sovereigns from the Hull Humane Society for those I rescued in the Humber, and at Hull. Witnesses William Collinson, Thomas Spence.

Fifteenth. ROBERT LEESON. (1834.)

He was a young gentleman returning from a musical festival, at York. He fell into New Holland harbour; some said he was in a state of intoxication. I swam to his assistance and soon saved him. He was very ill, and I believe a doctor was fetched from Barrow. When I returned, next morning, he had gone, but had left me sixpence with which to get a glass of rum, which I hastily swallowed. My captain was provoked by (what he thought) this man’s niggardly gift, and said, ’John, why did you drink it? I would have given you a glass of rum without your being indebted to him.’ I am told that this gentleman is often in Hull; if he is, I am sorry he has never had gratitude enough to give me a call. I saved his life and he must know it. I may add that a man who could not swim, jumped overboard to rescue this gentleman, and I had almost as much trouble in saving him as I had in saving Leeson. Witnesses James Oswald, James Sorry.

Sixteenth. JOSEPH CRABTREE. (1834.)

At this time I belonged to the ‘Magna Charter’ steamer, and was watchman for the night. When I went on board I was not quite sober, and I lay down on the forecastle. After a while I thought I heard something fall overboard, when I ran on to the deck, but could not see anything. I listened with bated breath, but not a sound could I hear; at length I shouted, but there was no answer. A plank had been put from the ’Ann Scarborough,’ into our ‘Taffelrail,’ and as this plank had fallen down, I thought it was its fall I had heard and nothing else. I got a boat hook and pulled the plank on board our vessel. But after a few moments I thought I heard something stir, and on taking a light I saw Crabtree, who was engineer of the ‘Ann Scarborough,’ stuck in the mud, for the vessels were dry. I put down a ladder and went to help him, but he was so fast in the mud that I could do nothing with him. So I ran to Lawson’s tap-room and got, I think, Robert Hollowman and two other men, to help to get C. out of the mud. He was dead drunk, but we soon got him ashore, gave him some brandy, and he was very little worse. The case was kept a profound secret at the time, and for this reason Crabtree was afraid that if his master should get to know of the affair, he would lose his situation, and as we all thought the same, we promised not to tell any one of it.

Seventeenth. WILSON. (1835.)

This boy fell into the Humber Dock basin, and sank between the ‘Calder’ steamer and the wall. It was about three o’clock one Sabbath afternoon, and hundreds of people were passing to and fro in search of pleasure. I was one hundred yards from the boy when the alarm was given, but I ran as fast as I could, and when I got to the spot, I found great difficulty in getting near because of the press of the people who were anxious to see the drowning youth. Some one said, ’He went down just here,’ and in I went, but I had a task to find him because of the thickness of the water. At last I saw him, and brought him up on one side of the packet, and caught hold of the paddle-wheels, when the people, who crowded the deck, rushed to see us, and gave the packet such a ‘lurch over’ that we were again dipped overhead in the water. I was never nearer being drowned than at this moment; but ’mercy to my rescue flew,’ for the captain, who had been asleep in the cabin, rushed on deck, and seeing our peril, called out, ‘You are drowning them,’ and got them to stand on the other side of the vessel, which lifted us right out of the water. A man then came into the paddle-wheel and took us both out. I was then completely exhausted and quite insensible. When I came to myself I was in the watch-house of the Humber Dock Company, and a doctor was watching over me and administering suitable medical treatment. I cannot tell how long I was in this state, but I had all my clothes pulled or cut off, and I was dangerously ill for several days. The boy was thought to be worse than I was, and in his case they used the Royal Humane Society’s apparatus for restoring animation to drowning persons. He soon recovered, but who he was or where he came from I never knew. I remember the doctor told me his name was Wilson. This was regarded by the public as an act of great skill and bravery, and was much talked of at the time. Mrs. Daniel Sykes sent me, through the medium of the editor of the Rockingham newspaper, L1 10s., and I think one of the clubs subscribed threepence. Witnesses Isaac Johnson, S. Bromley.

Eighteenth. SARAH HARLAND. (1835.)

Mrs. H. was a person of great strength and bulk of frame, weighing fourteen stones; she fell from the pier into the water. Our packet had just arrived from New Holland, and I was forward making the ... rope fast, when our engineer called out ’Jack, Jack, there is a woman overboard.’ He ran aft as fast as he could, and when he got there, he saw me overboard. He often used to say, ’I don’t know how that little fellow got past me, for I ran as fast as I could, and yet when I got there he was overboard.’ I seized this woman with a firm grip, and bore her to the pier, amid the applause of crowds of people who witnessed the whole occurrence. Some of them said I swam as fast with this big woman in my arms as I did when I went towards her; this I think was impossible, seeing I was but a little man, and that she was such a big heavy woman. Isaac Whittaker, Esq., who saw me rescue her, gave me half-a-crown to get some grog with. But what pleased me far better was, the gratitude of Mrs. H. She resided, if I remember rightly, in Blanket Row, and on going to see her, next morning, I found her ill in bed. She seemed full of gratitude, and that gave me great pleasure. I have often seen her since, and she always acknowledges me as saving her life. Witness Robert Todd.

Nineteenth. ROBERT BROWN. (1835.)

He was a sailor, from North Shields, and fell overboard, near the Victoria Hotel, Hull, while on watch. It was the first night of Dacrow’s Circus appearing in Hull, and Brown’s mates had gone ashore, either to see the performance inside, or to hear the music in the streets. I was watchman that night on board the ‘Magna Charter’ steamer. A heavy gale was blowing from the north, accompanied with sleet storms. While closing the cabin door for the night, I heard a splash, and running aft, I called out, ‘Is anyone overboard?’ But there was no answer, for the pier was deserted, the people having thronged to the circus. I could not see anything; but at last I thought I heard a voice, and plunging into the water, I soon found poor Brown; indeed he seized me before I was aware of him, and got upon me in such a way that I could not swim, and, I must confess, I was in a great passion. At length I got one arm at liberty, and made for the shore. I turned round and round a great many times, and, at last, after a desperate struggle, which I shall never forget, we reached the steps at the end of the pier. Brown took hold of the rail, walked up the steps, and seemed as if he didn’t care about me; I was quite exhausted, and had to hold by the railings for several minutes before I could recover my breath. I then sat down on one of the steps and felt very ill, and I thought I should have died on the spot. I remember seeing the lights, and hearing the music from the shore, but there was no one near to render me any help. Bye-and-bye I recovered a little and crept to the top of the steps, where I found poor Brown, crying most piteously. Two men, Joseph Crabtree and John Young, came from Lawson’s tap-room, and I asked them to get some drink for the youth, who was in a distressing state, and I would pay for it. They then took him to Mr. Lawson’s, while I tried to make my way home; but scarcely had I started, when a great trouble stared me in the face, it was this: Around the circus were thousands of people, and I thought, what shall I do? I cannot get through that crowd, and if I once fall, I shall never get up again, and I felt that I had not strength to walk round the other way, and I didn’t know what to do. However, I had not gone far when, who should I meet, but Joseph Spyby, our engineer. I said, ’O Joe, do help me home, do; I have been overboard saving a young man, and I can scarcely stand. I feel very bad.’ He replied, ’Yes, thou has to be drowned, and the sooner the better. There never was such a fool as thou art. Does thou think anybody but theeself would jump overboard a night like this? No! there is not another such a fool in England!’ Now, Joe was a kind-hearted, humane man, and the first to help a poor fellow in distress; but such was the way in which he expressed himself as he helped me along the street that terrible night. He took hold of me and got me through the crowd as well as he could. We went to the Humber Tavern, where I got a glass of brandy, and then Spyby took me home. I got a change of raiment and a little rest, and strange to say, I soon felt well again. For this case I received the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal, with their thanks on vellum. The case created considerable excitement in Hull, and the late Mr. Loft (father of our late mayor), offered to become one of twelve persons to allow me L2 per week to walk round the pier and docks, so as to be ready to rescue any who might fall into the water. Witness Robert Todd.

Twentieth. ROBERT TETHER. (1836.)

This young man, who is at present second engineer of the steam-ship, ‘Dido,’ belonging to Wilson and Sons, Hull, shall describe his own deliverance. He thus writes: ’About thirty years ago, and when I was about ten years of age, I was on board of a vessel whilst being launched from a ship-yard on the Humber bank. By some means or other a check rope belonging to the vessel broke, and dragged me into the water. There was no means of my being saved but by the noble “Hero,” who immediately jumped into the water, with all his clothes on, and brought me to the shore, which was done at a great risk of his own life. I remember, also, that there was immense shouting and cheering, and that a band of musicians who had been playing at the ‘launch,’ when they saw Mr. Ellerthorpe bearing me ashore, began playing, “See the Conquering Hero comes.” Robert Tether, July 24th, 1867.’

Twenty-first and Twenty-second. GEORGE EMERSON AND ANN WISE (1836.)

Emerson, a porter, was conducting Miss Wise, from the ‘Magna Charter,’ over a plank, when the plank slipped, and both were precipitated into the water. The wind was blowing very strong, and the river was extremely rough at the time. I had just gone into the cabin to change my clothes, when, hearing such a screaming as I had never before heard, I sprang upon the paddle-box, and saw Emerson, but knew nothing of the woman who had also fallen into the water, and whose mother was uttering the most heart-rending shrieks. I leaped from the paddle-box to save the man, when, to my surprise, I found I had thrown my legs right across the woman’s shoulders! Of course my first object now, was to save her. I hastily dragged her to the side of the packet, and having put her hand round a piece of iron, I said to her, ’Now hold fast there, for you are safe.’ I then went to a distance in search of Emerson, and having made a rope fast round him, I was able to hold him up with ease. But the shouting was as great as ever, and I thought, surely there is some one else overboard! The fact was, the people could not see the woman holding by the iron, and in my efforts to save the man, they thought I had forgotten her; hence their wild shouts. The engineer came to the vessel’s side and shouted, ‘There is the woman yet,’ when I replied, ‘She’s all right, come down to the paddle and take hold of her.’ He came and took her out, when she had a basket on her arm and a pair of pattens in her hand, just as when she dropped into the water. She suddenly disappeared from the crowd, and I heard no more of her for seven years. Mr. G. Lee, editor of the ’Rockingham, advertised the case in his paper for several weeks, asking the woman, from sheer gratitude, to let him know her name; but there was no response. When I was master of the ’Ann Scarborough,’ sailing between Barton and Hessle, I had to fetch (one Sunday afternoon) a gentleman’s carriage from Barton to Hessle. We had scarcely started, when a young woman, who was a passenger, said to me, ‘You don’t know me, Sir, but I know you.’ ’And for what do you know me, something good or bad?’ ’O good, Sir; don’t you remember jumping overboard and saving my life, at Hull? I shall never forget you, and I have come here on purpose to thank you.’ I then told her how we had advertised for her name, but could never hear a word of her, when she said, ’My mother and I were strangers in Hull, and as soon as I had got some dry clothes on, we had to start by coach, for Bridlington.’ This woman’s brother was gardener for Mr. Graborn, solicitor, Barton, and we afterwards became very intimate friends. I have not heard from Ann Wise for many years, but if she is yet living in any part of England, it would gladden my heart to have one more acknowledgment from her. In relating this case at Temperance meetings, I have sometimes created a little mirth, by remarking, ’I went in search of a man, and lo! and behold, I found a woman.’ Witness Robert Todd.

Twenty-third. JOHN BAILEY. (1836.)

He was fourteen years of age, and while playing at the Hull ferry-boat dock, he fell overboard and had a very narrow escape from being drowned. When I first heard the cry, ‘A boy overboard,’ I was near the Minerva Hotel, and I at once ran to the scene of the disaster. He had been down twice, when I got there, but in a few moments I had hold of him, and brought him ashore, amid the cheers and shouts of hundreds of spectators. I narrowly escaped being drowned. Bailey is now a labouring man in Hull, and I believe the father of a large family. I often meet him, and he always seems glad to see me.

I may here ask, Was it not strange that amongst the hundreds of people who saw this drowning youth, not one was found to render him the least assistance? I do not write boastingly when I say this: If I could run from the Minerva Hotel to the pier, and save this youth, after he had sank in the water twice, surely those who were near him at the moment when he fell in, might have rendered him some assistance? Indeed some present said, ‘We could have swam to him if we had tried.’ Then I would ask, ‘Why didn’t they make a venture?’ The conduct of these spectators I regard as being monstrous and unmanly. Englishmen are generally thought to have a fair share of personal courage, but it is nevertheless a fact, that scores of them watched the struggles of this drowning youth, but took care to watch them only from the shore. Can we wonder that hundreds are drowned every year along our coasts, if people act as these spectators did. Witnesses Joseph Crabtree, John Young.

Twenty-fourth. RICHARD LISON. (1836.)

He was a boy, seven years of age, and fell into the Junction dock, Hull. When the alarm was given, I was at the other side of the present ... dock, a great distance from where the boy was, but I ran with all speed over the bridge, and when I got to the drowning child, I found he had sunk the third time, and I thought, O, what shall I do? I went in search of him; I dived here, and I dived there, and at length I found him. A cry of joy was raised by the spectators when they saw me fetch him from a great depth, and then carry him towards the shore, on reaching which, some of them received him, and took him to his mother. I heard no more of him until he had grown to manhood; since then he has manifested the warmest gratitude, and treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. For years he was in the employ of the Hull dock company; I had many opportunities of watching his conduct, and always found him a faithful and trusty servant, doing his duty as well in his master’s absence as in his presence. This made me think much of him, and I always felt a deep interest in his welfare. He is now in the employ of Martin, Samuelson and Co., Hull. Witness John Lundie.

Twenty-fifth. GEORGE RICKERBY. (1836.)

He was a youth, and while playing on the east pier, Hull, he fell overboard. I ran a great distance, and in an almost breathless state leaped from a height of fourteen feet, into seven feet depth of water. I had scarcely touched the water, when he clutched me firmly, and dragged me down, again and again, but I was eager to rescue him, and, thank God, I succeeded. He had fallen upon one of the buoys, and cut his head, which bled profusely, and before I got him ashore I thought he was dead. He continued to bleed for some time, and a doctor was sent for. There was great cheering by the spectators as they saw me bearing through the waters, this bleeding, but still living youth, and some ladies and gentlemen, who had been watching me from the Minerva Hotel, threw out of the window, several shillings and half-crown pieces. If my memory serves me rightly, I got L1 10s. I thought myself handsomely rewarded; but what pleased me more was the gratitude of the boy’s mother; for I have always considered gratitude the richest reward I could receive: more than grateful thanks for what I had done, this poor woman would have found it difficult to have given me, but most grateful she was, and I felt both satisfied and delighted. But let me explain: On going to see the boy, next morning, I found him very ill in bed, and his mother, thinking I had gone for something for saving her child’s life, said, ’I have no money to give you, Sir, but my husband’s half-pay will be due in a few days, and I’m sure you shall have half of it.’ I replied, ’I’m sure I have not come for anything you have, my good woman, for I never take money from those I save, or from their relatives.’ She seemed overwhelmed with grateful feelings, and I had some difficulty in persuading her that I did not want money, and that I would not take it if offered me, and I believe, to this day, that if I had said to her, ‘You must give me your eight-days’ clock and your chest of drawers,’ she would willingly have given them to me there and then. Witness. Richard Curtis.

Twenty-sixth. MISS HILL. (1836.)

This young woman, when landing at New Holland, ran down the plank, when her foot slipped and she fell into the water, at the low side of the jetty. I sprang to her assistance, but she was fast among some pieces of timber. We were both in great peril, the tide was coming in, and had it reached a foot higher, we should both have been drowned. We were so placed as to be compelled to dive under water before we could reach the shore. I told her that there was no other way of our being saved, and that the attempt must be made at once, and without waiting for her consent, I grasped her in my arm, and under the water we went. The people thought we should have been drowned, but we soon got clear of the jetty; some threw us one thing and some another; at length James Nicholson got into a boat, took us in, and landed us safe ashore. I went to a public house, where I got a glass of brandy, and borrowed the ostler’s clothes, and I ailed nothing afterwards. The young woman remained at New Holland all night, and took her departure next morning, without leaving behind her even a single expression of verbal gratitude for what I had done for her. For some time it was reported that she was the daughter of Sir Rowland Hill, post-master general, but I wrote to that Knight, and found that she did not belong to his family. She made a fine appearance and was well dressed, but when I think of the shabby way in which she left the scene of her distress, I can’t call her a lady. I am devoutly grateful that I was the means of saving her, but the case would not have been made thus prominent, had not several gentlemen of Hull, who were present on the occasion, refused to let the case slip. Witnesses Robert Todd, Captain Thomas Oswell.

Twenty-seventh. HANNAH WEBSTER. (1837.)

This I regard as a most wonderful deliverance. Some said she fell, others that she jumped, from the Barton horse-boat into the Ferry-boat dock, Hull. Thomas Spencer, who was working at what was then called ’The knock-em-down jetty,’ saw the woman drop into the water, and called out, ‘A woman overboard.’ I hastened to her and soon got her ashore, when she was completely exhausted, and we sent for a doctor. A gentleman came to me and said ‘Did you fetch yon woman out of the water?’ ‘Yes, Sir,’ was my reply, when he made this strange and unaccountable remark If you had let her stop in I would have given you half-a-crown, but as it is, I shall not give you anything. Thank you, Sir, but Im glad shes out, notwithstanding; and I would rather save that woman than I would have all the half-crowns in Hull, was my indignant reply. I never stood to ask whether a drowning person was rich or poor, friend or foe, drunk or sober. If a person was overboard I did my best to rescue that person from drowning. We took this poor, despised woman to a house in Humber-street, and I gave my word that all expenses should be paid. She lodged in Mill-street, and was a widow, thirty seven years of age, and had two children. I went to see her next morning, but she had gone, so I had all expenses to pay. I have always thought this woman was one of those poor, unfortunate, and despairing ones, so touchingly described by Hood:

’Mad from life’s history,
Glad to death’s mystery
Swift to be hurled,
Anywhere, anywhere,
Out of the world.’

Witnesses William Taylor, George Horsefield.

Twenty-eighth. MISS ELLGARD. (1837.)

This young woman, who, there is reason to suspect, was a similar character to Mrs. Webster, fell from McDonald’s wharf, into Toronto Bay, America. I had in charge at this time a vessel belonging to Mr. Garsides, and when walking down to the wharf, one cold night, in the month of October, I heard a heavy splash in the water, and the next moment a loud scream. I ran to the place and saw this woman struggling in the water. She was very difficult to get at, but at last I caught hold of her, and soon landed her on the wharf. A man was waiting to receive her, and they instantly walked off. A few days after, however, she called at Mr. Baker’s, ‘Black Swan’ Inn and asked for me, and on going to the door she told me that I had saved her life, and that she was twenty-nine years of age. Now there had been some strange reports about her and the man who met her; indeed it was commonly believed, in Toronto, that he had pushed her overboard. But she said, ’The report is false. I fell overboard.’ She thanked me very kindly; I urged her to tell me her name, which she did, after I had promised not to tell anyone; this made me suspect that there was something wrong in connection with her being overboard. She urged me to accept some money, but I would not for I am sure her gratitude amply satisfied me for what I had done for her. Witnesses Thomas Thomas, John Baker.

Twenty-ninth. JANE GOUGH. (1843.)

When seven years old, she fell into Hessle harbour; her mother gave the alarm, and in a few moments I was in the water and saved her. I remember but little about this case, but the girl’s father often says, when referring to myself, ’That man saved my child’s life twice, and the second time was as good as the the first.’ I will explain the second case. Miss Gough, many years after her deliverance, married Mr. Shaw, a captain, and together they have brought up a family of children, in respectable circumstances. Mrs. Shaw knew me well, but I had not seen her for many years, when this strange event took place: I was captain of the Dock Company’s steamer, and on going one dark night into the Victoria Dock, I found a deep timber-laden vessel, with her stem upon the bank and her stern in the channel, and she was rapidly filling with water. I at once went to her assistance, and having fastened a strong rope to her, and then to my packet, I tried, first in one way and then in another, to pull her off, but she seemed immoveable; and I began to fear I should not accomplish my object. But I always believed in that little catch,

’Have you not succeeded yet?
Try, try again.’

and we did try again; and after trying many ways but in vain, we put the tow-rope on board, and running our packet at full speed, off the vessel came. All this time there was no person on board except the captain’s wife and her children. So I put them ashore, and went on board the vessel myself, and let go the anchor. Now, I did not know who the woman was until she offered me a sum of money, for what I had done. I told her I did not want aught, and that she was heartily welcome to the timely service I had rendered her. She then said and I shall never forget it ’Mr. Ellerthorpe, you don’t seem to know who I am?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t;’ when, to my surprise, she answered, ’I am that little girl, Jane Gough, whom you saved from drowning in Hessle harbour.’ My feelings were indescribably pleasant and joyous. Witnesses Jane Shaw, John Gough.

Thirtieth. WILLIAM TURNER. (1844.)

This deliverance took place one dark night, when we were rounding Flambro Head, and while a strong wind was blowing and a heavy sea rolling. Turner, while doing something at the main sheet, fell over the vessel’s side. I caught him, and got him on board, with a quickness that has always surprised me. Mr. Turner, who is at present foreman of the Humber Dock Company, Wharfage department, thus writes: ’I am one of the persons whom Mr. Ellerthorpe has saved from a watery grave. In the year 1844, and during a voyage from Scarborough to Hull, in the yacht, “Gossamer,” I fell overboard while crossing Burlington Bay. He sprang to my assistance and saved me, otherwise I should have been drowned. I remember also, when coming over the Humber Dock Bridge, one night, about nine o’clock, I saw an old lady fall from a height of about twenty feet, into the lock-pit. Soon after I heard a tremendous splash, and to my surprise, I found it was “Our Hero,” who had plunged his carcase into the lock to rescue the old lady from her perilous position, which he did manfully. I also saw him rescue John Eaby. In the great and terrible struggle which took place in the water, Mr. Ellerthorpe bore up with the greatest coolness imaginable, although at a great risk of losing his life. William Turner.’

Thirty-first. JOHN ELLERTHORPE. (1846.)

He was my son, and first-born child. Mr. G. Lee, the gentleman who first gave me employment in connection with the Hull Dock Company, had engaged me to teach his son the art of swimming. We went to the Stone Ferry Baths, for that purpose, and wishful that my own sons should learn this invaluable art, I took John with us. When we got to the baths, I found the water was too warm to bathe in, so Mr. Lee and myself went into one of the adjoining rooms and had a long conversation about swimming, while the two boys were left behind. At length I went to test the temperature of the water, it was remarkably clear, and, to my horror, I saw my son prostrate at the bottom of the bath! My feelings can be better imagined than described. Instantly, and without either throwing off a single garment or putting my watch from my pocket, I plunged into the bath and brought him up. He was full of water, and frothed at the mouth, and was very ill for a long time after. Witness Mr. G. B. Lee, Jun.

Thirty-second. THOMAS ROBINSON. (1846.)

He belonged to a schooner, lying in the Junction Dock, Hull. I was walking near the dock, when I saw a great many people running from every direction, and was soon told that a man had fallen overboard. I ran to the spot, and for some time I could not ascertain the nature of the case. At length the captain of the schooner, said, ’He went down close to the vessel, and has been seen twice.’ Instantly I dived to the bottom of the dock, but could not see him. I swam to and fro for some time, and at last saw him under the vessel; he seemed quite dead, but I seized him and brought him up. They were busy with the grappling irons, but as he was under the vessel, the probability is he would never have been got out of the water alive. I went home and got some dry clothes on, and when I returned and inquired how he was, I was told he rapidly recovered. I have never seen this young man, or heard a word of him from that day to the present. He was a sailor, and may have been in Hull since then, but if he has, he never made himself known to me. Witnesses John Moody, John Kidd.

Thirty-third. WATSON. (1846.)

While going on the Humber bank, to Hessle, I passed some youths who were bathing, but took little or no notice of them until I had got about 300 yards past them, when I saw some men running from a field close by, and heard a youth call out, ‘A boy is drowning.’ I ran back, and swam to the lad, and soon brought him out and laid him on the bank. I drank a glass of grog and smoked a pipe, and then returned to Hull, for a change of raiment. I caught a severe cold on this occasion, for I had got half way to Hessle when I saved this boy, and had on my wet clothes for nearly three hours. I have never, that I am aware of, seen that boy since. Nor am I quite certain about his name; some one said they called him Watson; but a man who saw me save him told me he would let me know the boy’s right name, but he never did. Somebody disputed my saving the lad, so I got a paper signed by a man who witnessed the whole affair, and whose name was Johnson. Witness Mr. Johnson.

Thirty-fourth. SAMUEL DAVIS. (No, 1850.)

He was employed on board a ‘mud tug’ that was used for removing mud from Hull Harbour into the Humber. I saw this tug in a sinking state, and called out to the men to escape from her at once. All left her and got into a boat, except Davis; he was rather lame, but had time enough to make his escape as well as the rest. The men had not left the ‘tug’ more than five minutes, when she capsized, and Davis was thrown into the water. I was on board a ‘tow boat’ at the time, and between the drowning man and myself, there lay three heavily-loaded ballast lighters. I turned my steamer astern, and by jumping from one lighter to another, I soon reached Davis. I felt confident I could save him, and having a mud scraper in my hand, I threw the end of it to him, and said, ’Now, don’t be afraid, you’ll soon be all right.’ I did save him, but alas! and my hand trembles while I write it the first utterance that fell from his lips was a fearful oath, ‘D my eyes!’ O, how grieved I was to hear a man, just at the point of death, utter such an expression. We soon got him on board of our packet, and put him in some warm and dry clothes. On Friday night, December the 6th, 1867, a fire broke out in Hull, and my son Joseph, was there, and sprung the rattle, giving the alarm, and the first man that came to the spot was Davis. One of my son’s companions called out, ‘Ellerthorpe!’ when Davis said, ’Is John Ellerthorpe that young man’s father?’ ‘Yes,’ was the reply. ‘Ah!’ said Davis, ’he saved my life, and but for him I should not have been here to-night.’ I trust the Lord will yet save him, and that I shall meet him and others whom I have rescued, at the right hand of the great Judge.

Thirty-fifth. A BOY NAME UNKNOWN. (1850.)

At this time I was captain of the Hull Dock steam tug. One night, about eleven o’clock, the railway goods station was on fire, and I was summoned from my bed to go and remove our packet, which was moored close to where the fire had broken out. In the space of two hours, three men fell overboard, all of whom I rescued, with the assistance of others. Soon after I had to take the Dock Company’s fire-engine on board our packet, as they could not find enough water on shore. The wind was blowing a heavy gale, and before I could get the packet to a convenient place, sufficient water had been found, and the engine was not needed. While I was busy with the packet, a man was drowned, and I felt greatly distressed on his account. So I went and sat down on the paddle-box and placed a boat hook at my side, to be ready should any one fall into the water. I had not sat many moments when I saw a youth, about seventeen years of age, fall overboard. I jumped from the paddle-box on to the dock wall, and ran as fast as I could to the spot. While the fire was blazing before me I could see the boy distinctly, but when I got past the fire it was pitchy dark, and I lost all trace of the drowning youth. Thousands of people were thronging and shouting in every direction, and I lost all hopes of saving the youth, who was now submerged in the water. But when I could not get any further, for the press of the people, I threw in the boat hook; it was eighteen feet long and the tide was very high. I knelt with one knee on the wall, and felt the boy at about fifteen feet under water. The hook caught the bottom of his waistcort, and I felt him take hold of it with both his hands. I never could ascertain the boy’s name, but the whole case was fully reported in the local newspapers at the time, and hundreds, yea, thousands of people now in Hull, well remember it. Witnessed by thousands.

Thirty-sixth. GEORGE PEPPER. (1852.)

George was the son of my shipmate, who witnessed the whole affair. He was a scholar in the Trinity House school, but it being Easter Monday, he had a holiday, and came to spend the afternoon on board, with his father. The packet started suddenly, and the rope by which she had been fastened to the pier, struck the boy, and overboard he went. The packet was in motion, but I leaped into the water, while George’s father went to fetch a boat hook, but it is my opinion the boy would have been drowned had I waited for the hook. The boy’s father was a good swimmer, but he has often told me that he always wanted to think a few moments before he durst leap into the water. However, I saved his son in a few moments, and without much difficulty; indeed, when his mother said to him, ‘George, what did you think when you was in the water?’ he replied, ’O, mother, I hadn’t time to think, for Mr. Ellerthorpe caught me directly.’ Next morning, George was ready for school and I was ready for my work, and scarcely any one knew aught of the affair. The fact was, both Pepper and myself were to blame in not warning the boy of the danger that had nearly cost him his life. George is now a young man, and sails, I believe, from the port of Hull, and he seems to think as much of his deliverance now as he did fifteen years ago. Witness Henry Bolton.

Thirty-seventh. ROBERT WOODMAN. (1854.)

He was a youth belonging to the brig Janet, of South Shields, which was leaving the Victoria Dock, Hull, and he had the misfortune, while unfastening the check-rope, attached to the Dolphin, to fall overboard. For some time he struggled in the water, helpless, and it was apparent that he was drowning. At the time I was on board the Dock Companys tug, which was about thirty yards from the spot, when, fortunately, I happened to see the youth, and I immediately sprang into the water with all my clothes on. I succeeded in seizing the boy as he was sinking, and placed him in such a position as enabled me to keep him above the water, when I made the best of my way to the brigs boat, a few yards off. The poor lad, in his almost insensible state, got upon my head and clung to me tightly, and in a few moments, so entwined himself around my arms as to render me almost incapable of swimming, and the probability at that time was, that both of us would be drowned. I saw and felt my perilous position, as he threatened to draw me again into the water, by his desperate struggles; but at last, with the strength and force of desperation, I managed to reach the painter of the boat, which fortunately being taut from the ring, enabled me to raise myself and the youth out of the water, and we were both got into the boat, though in a most exhausted condition; indeed I had to be conveyed home. The boy soon recovered and left the dock the next tide, and I never saw him again. But I wrote to the captain of the ship, and received this beautiful letter from the youths father:

My Dear Sir, The captain of the brig ‘Janet’ has sent me the very kind letter from you, wishing to know the age and name of my boy, which I am glad to tell you. His name is Robert Woodman, and he is seventeen years of age. I live in London, and I am very sorry to tell you that it is not in my power to give you anything or I would most gladly have done so. But do accept my sincere thanks; and I do hope, Sir, that if it should please God to spare my son to manhood, that he will in some way present you a proof of his gratitude for the great deed of daring that you have done for him; for the captain said the boy could not have been saved had it not been for you. Please to accept my most grateful thanks for your great kindness to my poor boy. Yours truly, Woodman.

Now, I can truthfully say, that this letter paid me well for the great risk I had run, as it gave me great pleasure. Some time after, the ‘Janet’ returned to Hull, and I went on board to see if I could find the youth, but the bird had flown, for the captain told me he had run away from his ship, and that he had no idea where he was. The captain was glad to see me and wanted me to have a glass of grog, but I refused, having become, a short time before, a pledged abstainer from all intoxicating drinks.

Thirty-eighth. ANN MARTIN. (1860.)

While the Humber Dock gate was being closed, this woman, who was forty-eight years of age, came up to the bridge, and refusing to wait until the proper time for passing, she attempted to step from one half of the bridge to the other, and in making the attempt, she fell, head first, into the water below. It was high tide at the time, and she was rapidly carried away by the stream. The night was dark and I was very ill, but when I heard that a woman was overboard, I ran to the spot; but alas! I could not see her, and for a moment I thought there was no chance of saving her. But knowing that assistance must be immediately rendered or the woman would be out of sight, and beyond the reach of help, I plunged into the water and soon brought her to the bridge. They let down a boat hook to which we both clung, and then a ladder, up which to ascend. But I told them I would rather have a boat, which was soon brought and we were landed in safety. While clinging to the hook, the woman, as might be expected, was full of alarm, but I knew she was safe enough, so to allay her fears, and wile away a few moments of painful, but unavoidable waiting, I jocosely said to her, ’Hold fast now, Missus. You are as safe now as though you were watching the pot boil over.’ She afterwards told me that the most pleasant sensation she ever experienced in her life, was at the moment when she felt some one had hold of her in the water. This woman has manifested the liveliest gratitude for what I did for her, and she never crosses the bridge without calling at my house to enquire after me, and she often says, to my good wife, ’You know I aint right if I don’t see the master about.’ She was very poor at the time I saved her, but on the following Christmas she brought me a duck for my dinner. I refused to take it, for I knew she could not afford to give me it; but she said, ’You must take it; I meant giving you a Goose, but I could’nt afford to buy one. Now do take the duck, do, Sir.’ I saw it would grieve her if I refused, so I took it; and this is the first, and only occasion that I have taken aught from those whom I have rescued. And I am sure in this case, it was more blessed to give than it was to receive, for the woman was both satisfied and delighted. The gratitude of this poor woman, and also that of her family, seems unabated. Witness William Turner.

Thirty-ninth. JOHN EABY. (July 30, 1861.)

Police Constable Green, 69, was on duty at the South-end about half-past ten o’clock, on the morning of the above date, and about one hour before high water, when he saw Eaby, in a fit, fall from the quay into the Humber Dock basin. He immediately called out, ‘A man overboard,’ and with the assistance of another man, got the grapplings and caught hold of Eaby by his clothes, but he being of great weight, they tore asunder, and he again dropped into the water. Green then called for further assistance, when our friend ran to the rescue, and urged by Eaby’s fearful condition, and the benevolent feelings of his own noble spirit, he immediately jumped into the water and seized the drowning man. From the effects of the fit, the man struggled desperately. Our friend tried to get a rope round him, but could not; he got his hand into his preserver’s mouth, and would have drowned him, had not Mr. Ellerthorpe had so many opportunities of trial in such cases. Eaby’s first expression on coming out of his fit was, ‘What are you doing here?’ when his deliverer replied, ‘Havn’t I as much right here as you have?’ then Eaby went off into another fit. By this time a boatman, named John Tickells, came to our friend’s assistance, and was joined by Robert Ash, gateman, Humber Dock, who slipped the grappling rope into the boat. They then both seized Eaby, and got him into the boat and tied his legs, otherwise, so desperate was he, he would have split the boat up. They then assisted our friend into the boat. Eaby struggled so desperately that the men had great difficulty in holding him in the boat. He was taken to his house, 20, Dagger Lane, where he was attended by Mr. Lowther, surgeon, accompanied by policeman Green. He soon escaped, without clothes, and, followed along the street by a crowd of people, ran into N, Fish Street, and got into one of Mr. Alcock’s beds. He was thirty-seven years of age, and had been subject to fits for years, which were often very violent. Witnesses William Turner, William Steadman.

This rescue the last of a large number that Mr. Ellerthorpe was the honoured instrument of achieving was witnessed by hundreds of spectators, who were filled with admiration and wonder. These were seen in their countenances and heard in their shouts of applause, as he struggled with this poor unfortunate man. Not only so, but it led the public to raise a subscription for Mr. Ellerthorpe. Two working men, Mr. William Turner, and Mr. William Steadman, who witnessed the humane and heroic conduct of their fellow townsman, took the initiative, and how hard they worked, and how nobly they accomplished their object, will be seen from our next chapter.

The above list of thirty-nine persons saved by our friend, contains three little girls, fifteen youths, six women, and fourteen men, in the strength and vigour of their days; and one old man burdened by the weight of seventy-five years.

They were saved at the following places: (America,) Quebec, two; Toronto, one; Barton, one; Castleford, one; Humber Bank, one; Burlington Bay, one; London, two; New Holland, three; Hessle, five; Hull, twenty-two.

These deliverances took place in the following years: 1820, two; 1822, one; 1824, one; 1825, two; 1826, one; 1828, two; 1830, one; 1833, three; 1834, three; 1835, three; 1836, seven; 1837, two; 1843, one; 1844, one; 1846, three; 1849-50, two; 1852, one; 1854, one; 1860, one; 1861, one.

But though Eaby was the last person our friend actually rescued, his readiness to imperil his own life, that he might save the lives of others, did not expire on that ever memorable occasion. A clergyman called to see him, and amongst other things, said, ’Now Ellerthorpe, your work is done; God has honoured you above most men, be satisfied; remember the old adage, “the pitcher goes often to the well, but gets broken at last."’ Our friend shook his head and said, ’Do you think, Sir, I could see a man overboard and not plunge in after him? No, Sir.’ And though upwards of sixty-one years of age, and suffering acutely at times from his oft exposures in the water and cold, he yet thought as deeply and felt as strongly as ever for his drowning fellow creatures; and on two or three occasions his old zeal rose to furnace heat. In proof of this we give the following extracts from the Hull papers:

A Sailor Drowned. On Monday last, an inquest was held at the Parliament-street Police-station by Mr. P. F. Thorney, the borough coroner, on view of the body of Thomas Bates, who had been a seaman on board the screw steamer Irwell. On Saturday evening, about eight oclock, the deceased fell from the forecastle deck of the above-named vessel into the Humber Dock lock pit. Mr. John Ellerthorpe, the foreman at the gates, immediately jumped in after him, and though both were taken out within five minutes, by the dock gateman, Bates was pronounced to be dead by Mr. Lowther, surgeon, who was summoned to the spot. A verdict of accidental death was returned. Hull News, Feth, 1863.

Respecting this case our friend says, ’Mr. Bates spoke to me in the water, and said, “I shall soon be all right,” and I thought he would too. The water was piercingly cold, and I went and changed my clothes, and when I returned to see how the poor man was, Dr. Lowther had pronounced him dead. I never felt such a sense of distress as I did at that moment; I did my very best to save him; indeed, Mr. Lowther says, “The man died in an apoplectic fit.” It was deeply distressing to see the poor widow, when her husband was pronounced dead; she was overcome by the suddenness of the stroke, and Mr. Dale Brown kindly sent her home in a cab. This man, and Ashly Taylor (aged 75 years), are the only instances out of upwards of forty I have rescued, of death taking place in consequence of their being in the water.’

A Man in the Humber Dock. Yesterday a man, named George Taylor, who is frequently employed in connection with the landing of fish, &c., and who resides in the ‘Trippett,’ while in a fit fell into the Humber Dock, at the South-west corner, near to where the ‘Alster steam vessel was lying. His fall was seen by some men who were standing near at the time and they at once got some boat-hooks to draw him out. Mr. Ellerthorpe, the foreman of the Humber Dock Bridge, whose humanity and gallantry in saving people from drowning, has won for him the title of the Hero of the Humber, was ready to plunge in after the poor fellow, had he not been readily recovered by the hooks. On being got on shore, he was brought into the Bridge watch-house and properly attended to. Before recovering he had several fits. He was eventually sent home wrapped in blankets. Eastern Morning News, December 13th, 1866.

Man Overboard. About two oclock on Saturday, whilst Mr. John Ellerthorpe was busy at the Mytongate Bridge passing a vessel through, he heard something splashing in the water, which he thought was a dog. He called out to a lighterman, named George Woolass and another man who were on board of the vessel, to bring a boat and get the animal out. A boat was obtained, and the splashing was found to be caused by a man who had fallen overboard. On getting him out it was found he belonged to one of the fly-boats, and had he remained many seconds more in the water he must have been drowned. Hull Advertiser, March 2nd, 1867.

We have seen in several instances, that our friend, after having rescued the drowning, remained with them until all fears of immediate death were totally dissipated. Indeed his kindly ministrations in the watch-house of the Humber Dock Company, have been scarcely less remarkable than his exploits in saving the drowning from the water. In that room is the ’Royal Humane Society’s apparatus for the recovery of persons apparently drowned or dead, accompanied with directions for the proper treatment of such cases.’ And there our friend stood for hours together, in his wet clothes, during the piercing cold of winter and the oppressive heat of summer, endeavouring to restore suspended animation. He says, ’I always felt very anxious about those I had rescued, and in dangerous cases generally remained with them until they came round. By remaining in my wet clothes on these occasions I have often seriously damaged my health; but I felt so anxious about them that I often forgot altogether my own wet state. Dr. Henry Gibson says I have seriously injured my constitution by these long exposures in wet clothing, and I am afraid he is right, and that it will shorten my days.’

We give one instance of his ministrations in this watch-house:

About three o’clock on the morning of July the 23rd, 1865, he suddenly awoke out of a profound sleep, and thought he heard a boy call out, ‘There is a man overboard.’ He sprang from his bed, threw up the window, but not a person could he see, not a sound could he hear, not a ripple on the water could he discern, to indicate danger. He concluded he had been dreaming, but when about to leave the window he saw one of his fellow workmen running with the grappling iron. The old Spanish proverb says, ’that when a man’s house is on fire he does not stay to consider if the shoe pinches,’ and so absorbed was our friend by the fear that some one was drowning that, without shoes on his feet, and with nothing but his night shirt to cover him, he ran down stairs, leaped over two chains, thrown across the bridge, and in a few moments he was beside the man with the ‘grapplings,’ who had also heard the cry but could not tell whence or from whom it had come. The surrounding waters lay calm and undisturbed by a single ripple, and there was nothing to indicate that anyone had sunk. At our friend’s request, his companion sprang into a boat, and let down the grappling iron, and, strange to say, brought up Mr. Thomas Hogg, of Ulceby, Lincolnshire. They at first pronounced him dead, but after cleansing his mouth and nostrils he was thought to breathe; he was at once taken to the watch-house, where our friend, with fresh anxiety and awakened hope, applied the Royal Humane Society’s apparatus, and with complete success. The process was continued till six o’clock, when scores of persons were gathered round the watch-house. The man then said to Mr. Ellerthorpe, ’Come master, it is time you were in your own house; you’re not fit to be here amongst all these folks.’ It was not till the man thus spoke that our friend was aware of his half-naked state. All did well on this occasion, but Mr. Ellerthorpe’s conduct was exceptionally noble.

The last to claim recognition and reward for his own humane and gallant deeds, Mr. Ellerthorpe has ever proved himself the first and foremost in securing them on behalf of others. The following letter, received in answer to an urgent appeal which he made on behalf of an aged and destitute couple, will illustrate what I mean:

Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade,
Marine Department,
Whitehall, 16th January, 1863.

Sir, I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ult., calling attention to the fact that the late Charles Anderson, who lost his life in endeavouring to save the lives of others from shipwreck, has left a father and mother unprovided for, and to inform you that my Lords have this day forwarded to the Receiver of Wreck, at Hull, an order for the amount of five pounds (L5) to be paid to the parents of the deceased.

I am, Sir,
John Ellerthorpe, Esq.,Your obedient servant,
Humber Dock Gates, Hull.JAMES BOOTH.

In December, of the same year, he made a similar appeal to the Board of Trade, on behalf of some Hull seamen, and received the following answer:

Board of Trade, Whitehall,
4th February, 1864.

Sir, I am instructed by the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council for Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th December last, calling their Lordships’ attention to the services rendered on the 4th December, by some fishermen of Hull, to the crew of the schooner ‘John Thomas,’ of Carnarvon, and I am to inform you in reply, that my Lords have presented the sum of five pounds (L5) to be divided amongst the crew of the ‘Washer,’ as a mark of their appreciation of their gallant conduct, and ten pounds (L10) to the owners of the smack as compensation for loss of time, &c.

The Receiver of Wreck has received instructions to pay the
above-mentioned sums to the parties in question.

I am, Sir,
John Ellerthorpe, Esq., Your obedient Servant,
Humber Dock Gates, J. H. FARRER.
Kingston-upon-Hull.

The following letter explains itself:

Humber Lock Gate, Hull.
February 17th, 1863.

To the Secretary of the Royal Humane Society.

Sir, I take the liberty of addressing you in consequence of an accident having occurred, last week, in the Lock Pit of the Humber Dock Gates, of this town. A man fell from a steamer going out of the Dock, whom I followed into the water in the hope of being able to save his life; but although he was not more than a minute and a half in the water, and he spoke to me when I had hold of him, the surgeon pronounced him to be dead when taken to the men’s watch-house close by. A similar instance took place about three years ago. I wish to know if, in a case of this kind, a surgeon is justified in pronouncing life to be extinct without having previously used the means for restoring suspended animation. We have the Royal Humane Society’s apparatus always close at hand, but rarely used. Having the honour to hold the Society’s silver medal, as well as its testimonial on vellum, and also a silver medal from the Board of Trade for saving life from drowning on many occasions, I feel much interest in this subject; and I shall feel much obliged if you will give me instructions how to proceed in the event of a similar case taking place. I believe the Royal Humane Society issue printed instructions how to treat cases of suspended animation. If you will send me some of them I shall feel greatly obliged to you.

I am, Sir, with respect,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN ELLERTHORPE.

Our friend received the following answer:

Royal Humane Society,
Office, N, Trafalgar-square, W.C.
February 18th, 1863.

Sir, In reply to your note of the 17th, I beg to say that in the course of ten days or so, I will send some of the instructions issued by this Society for the treatment of those who are apparently dead from drowning, and you can place them in your room. Of course I am unable to give an opinion as to whether the medical man called in, in the case you refer to, was or was not right, as I am not cognizant of the whole state of the case; but I will suggest that, in all future cases which you may have to treat, you will persevere in your attempts at recovery for at least half-an-hour before you give up the patient as dead.

Yours faithfully,
LAMBTON J. H. YOUNG,
Mr. J. Ellerthorpe. Secretary.