June, 1842.
On the morning of the 13th of June, 1842, Mr. Matthew Richards, about
17 years of age, and acting-master's assistant of H.M. brig
'Nautilus,' jumped in the most gallant manner from the
hammock-netting of that vessel into the sea off Brighton, and saved
the life of a boy who had fallen overboard. The boy was unable to
swim, and, being exhausted by his struggles, was sinking at the
moment Mr. Richards arrived to his rescue. The crew were cleaning
decks at the time, and the noise consequent upon that operation
prevented the boy's cries from being heard; it would, therefore, have
been impossible to have cleared away a boat in sufficient time to
have saved him.
ABRAHAM HART YOUNGS, CHIEF BOATMAN OF FISHERGATE
STATION,
January, 1843.
On the 13th of January, 1843, the smack 'Prince Regent,' of London,
was driven on shore at Fishergate station; and, on her being observed
in distress, Lieut. Franklin, and the chief boatman of Blackrock,
Lieut. Pratt, with the Brighton crew and rockets and life-boat (which
latter was found upon her arrival not to be required), Mr. Stanbridge
and the Hove crew, and Abraham Hart Youngs, chief boatman of
Fishergate, and his crew, proceeded to her assistance, and rescued
the whole of the crew. The gallant conduct of Abraham Hart Youngs
was very conspicuous, he having been hauled on board through a heavy
surf, in which he had also to contend with the malevolent efforts of
some fishermen to detain him and throw him down; he, however,
succeeded in slinging the crew and landing them.