The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-08-26 00:00:00

DitOWNING.

..... .
A terribly exciting scene occurred on the afternoon of
Saturday last, just outside the harbour. Megan Coen,
and Co.'s steamer Premier, with • large number of
passengers on board we. towing a barge laden with thither
from Portland. When about to round the Rothe • small
selling beat with two occupants was observed drawing rather
too close to the steamer. The occupants most have been
ignorant of their danger, or were unable to avert it. for
they came blindly on es if to pass between the steamer and
the berm. Thin was, of course impossible, the hawser
with which the steamer and the barge were connected
being not sufficiently high to allow the meat of the hoe&
to pass under it. To the horror of those on board the
steamers, the rope caught the mast about midway, cum-
eletrly capsizing the little craft. The occupants, an old
boatman named Rule and a young fellow. enlexcursionist,
a-re thrown out. The young mar., fortunately, made a
spring, caught the rope with his hands, and the. managed
to ken himself above water, but there was great danger
of his being washed off, • heavy sea running at the time.
The 1111111 fortunate boatman however was washed away.
The excitement on board the Premier was intense, the
I contain at once ordered the boat to be lowered,but in conse-
quence of the confusion of the passengers who crowded
the beide; he was greatly impeded in his efforts; and it
was some time before the boat was got out. All this time
the young fellow hanging on the rope we. shouting wildly
for help and he seemed every moment in danger of
pni
wished off, but by almost superhuman efforts he
himself hand over hand along the rope into the steamer.
Meanwhile the poor old boatman had drifted • long
distance away and there seemed almost impossible to save
him, as he was unable to swan. At length the boat was got
out, and the Premier's men pulled with a right nod wilt but
their efforts were attended with great &dimity. they being
unable to see the poor fellow except at intervalo Fortu-
nately he wore a straw hat which was not washed off hia
head, or it would hen been next to impossible for them
to pulL To make the scene more exciting the &acres;
crowded with passengers, having just returned from Loll.
worth, drew tip and wet watching the affair. The mann.
nes on board the Premier were now alined without bops, m
the drowning man was only wen at interval; but to the
joy of all en board a little sailing vessel was seen to be
making LS speed towards the poor fellow. At the same
lime the Premier's nun milled lustily at their oare, and it
seemed a ram for life. With praiseworthy skill the
gallant occupants of the little sailing vessel tacked
towards him, and although it seemed at one time an
though she would par him, she swung round_ mid pulled the
all bittarowned num out oi the water. end headed him over
to the Premier boathsen who were close upon them. The
Mangers on the simmer who all this tuna had been in
. a state of Intense excitement now relieved their feelings
by giving thee. hearty cheers for the gallant rumen It
seems quite • miracle that the men we. saved as ha was
insensible during the whole of the time he was in the
water. he having drifted away on his back sad being
under water a great portion of the time. He we. brou‘t
with all speed into the harbour and taken on board the
steamer, when Dr. Moorhead and Dr. Simpoxi were in
waiting, end everything was done by them to restore
animatica. He remained insensible for some time, and
the medical gentlemen ordered his removal to the
" Salton' Home,* end it WSJ not until he was put into a
hot bath that he Mowed signs of returning lilo Every
attention we. shown elm by Mr. Crosby, the manager of
the Home, end he was noMed to go to his own home on
Sunday. He is en old coastguardsman sad this is the fourth
time that he he. been send from droerning. The rescuers
were Mr. John Cross end Mr. Henry Foots. of Weymouth
Custom House, the former of whom pulled Rule out of the
water, Mr. Paths guiding the boat at the tlute with
much skill,