November, 1845.
On the night of the 17th November, 1845, a seaman, one of the gig's
crew of the 'Crocodile,' flag-ship, at the Cove of Cork, when walking
on the stage leading to the 'Predonia,' merchant-vessel, alongside of
which his boat was temporarily made fast, having slipped, fell into
the river, a strong tide and heavy sea on at the time, the night
dark, and blowing a terrific gale. Mr. W. E. Fisher, senior mate of
H.M.S. 'Crocodile,' the officer in charge of the boat, observing that
the man was stunned from the fall, and unable to assist himself,
leaped from the deck of the 'Predonia,' swam to his assistance, and
with great exertions brought him on shore in a senseless state. It
was a considerable time before the man recovered, and the gallant
officer was so much exhausted that it nearly cost him his life.