CHAPTER VII.

HIS GALLANT AND HUMANE CONDUCT IN RESCUING THE DROWNING.

_First._--JOHN ELLERTHORPE.[1] (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;'[2] 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.

[Footnote 1: Those marked with a star distinguish the cases for which

Mr. Ellerthorpe received the special medal of the Royal Humane Society.]

[Footnote 2: John seems to have loved his mother with a tender, intense

affection. In a letter dated October 14th, 1867, he says: 'It is

fourteen years this day since my poor (but I trust now rich) mother was

buried at Hessle. The Lord knows I was her darling son; but, alas! for

many years I was no comfort to her. But years before her death Christ

washed me from my sins in his most precious blood, and now I entertain a

hope of meeting her in heaven.']

_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.)

[Sidenote: THE COACHMAN.]

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 £10 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 £1 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 £1, 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 £1 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 £5.

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, £1 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

£2 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 £1 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 I'm glad she's 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. (Nov. 6, 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

Company's 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 brig's 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 youth's 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 No. 11, 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:

[Sidenote: A SAILOR DROWNED.]

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 o'clock, 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, Feb. 14th, 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 o'clock 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.

[Sidenote: HIS EFFORTS IN THE WATCH-HOUSE.]

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.'

[Sidenote: A REMARKABLE INSTANCE.]

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.

[Sidenote: HIS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE BRAVE.]

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 (£5) to be

paid to the parents of the deceased.

I am, Sir,

John Ellerthorpe, Esq., Your obedient servant,

Humber Dock Gates, Hull. JAMES BOOTH.

[Sidenote: HIS APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF TRADE.]

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 (£5) to be divided amongst the crew of the 'Washer,' as

a mark of their appreciation of their gallant conduct, and ten

pounds (£10) 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, No. 4, 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.