The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-02-02 00:00:00

FATAL ACCIDRNT : MR. EDWARD C. GIINDRY

lißoiind.D.

One of the saddest events it has ever been our lot to
record at Bridport recurred on Friday evening, during
the gide, viz., the drownligzof. Mr. Edward Cameron
Gundry, son of Joseph , Ifaq.,J P., of The Hyde,
Bridport. It appears that deceased gentleman, in
eouireny with a friend (11r. Daininers) emit to the
harbour for the purpose of viewing the wreck, and after
deice so went on the Beet Pier, to look at the sea, which
was very &tempestuous the breakers very odes &shag
over the Pier, and completely deluging it with water.
At the extreme sod of the Pier towards the see, is • pile
rather longer than the others which is called the king
pile. It has been the habit of lads, in stormy weather,
for mere bravado to run out and touch this pile during
the interval between the breakers, and it very of
happens that they get a thorough drenching by the
venture. This boyish vagary was spoken of in Mr.
Gundry's bearing ; he considered there was great risk in
attempting such a thing, but intimated that he should
sot be afraid so do it. Mr. Knight and Kr. Vickery
, eodeevoured to dimmed* him from going up the pier,
brtt Mr. Guidry and his companion ventured out part
ways once or twice, and got wet through in doing so.
They did not like to eve it up unitooompliabed and
, ventured once more, but unfortunately it was
the" once too often." They were overtaken by a breaker
which washed them both of the pier. Mr. Onedry
however, regained his footing, but on proceeding to
look for his oompanloo, he was spin washed overboard,
whilst his companion was washed up on the pier again.
Mr. Oundry unfortunately did not get a footing again,
and it seems likely that be was stunned by the last fall.
His body was found about 11 o'clock, near the East
Cliff.
An Inquest was held itt the Neptune Inn, on Satur-
day, before N. K. Lager:, Eel., the coroner for this
district. There was • most respectable jury, of which
Mr. Henry Patten was the foreman. The following
evidence was given.
Alfred William Hemmen Hammen ; On the evening
of yesterday, the 29th inst., the deceased and myself
left Hyde to go the Heiman About 7 °Week in the
seeping I and the deceased went and looked at the
wreak on the beach at the Harbour. About 8 o'clock
the &mewl proposed to me that we should go to the
Bast Pier and se* the as& Mr. Vickery end Mr.
winies Knight were on the pier with us. It was
slated that some one had touched the King Pile.
Deceased and myself agreed to go out on the pier. We
went half-way up the pier. I turned bask again. We
then went oat again, and we agreed to hold on to the
Iron railinp of the tramway on the pier. I was in front
at the outer end of the tramway. I saw theses erenimr and
told deceased to hold ou as hard as he could. Recalled
to me to hold ors. The sea washed me ales& off my legs
and I let go my hold, sod I was washed away and across
the pier. I found myself at the and of the limn wall.
I had hold of semethlng ; I believe a beam. While I
was being washed aeons I heard the disameed cry, sod
after the sea had gotta bask, sod I had hold of this been. I
hired the deceased cry again. I got into the water to
see 111 could seel him. Another wave was eosin, sod
I had to run in. I mot Mr. W. Knight sear the wale
and told him what had happened. We left the week
at ten minutes past eight &sleek.

'rasa Knight: I was present on Ow pier last,
'reining with the Mewed. and the last whaler and
others, $ walked on to the pier as far as the Wherf-
house. Deseseed and Mr. Daatmers went further es to
the pier and left awe there. They then mime back andi
sold they were both Wet through, washed with the
'They then left again to go eat and I tuned to emu in,,
and Walked a little way and there beard Mr. Vickery ere
"b.lp. Jburn.d round and law the deceased and Mr.
Dunmore on She pier. A few minutes id terwerds I
beard Mr. Vickery cry "help" at•io. I then met Mr.
Vickery coming back. $ Went out end met Mr. Dowsers
who told me that deetered wee washed mew the pier.
I looked over the pier and retrid sot see deceased,
went for help.
William Vickery: 1 wu preterit with the last witness'
on the pier, and standing near the crake platform.,
About lislf.past eight, the deceased said be should not
like to go out to the King Pile f,rr anything. He shiers
if them eras whet made be would go. That was all that
was said shoat betting. The lent witness and myself
persuaded them both not to go, but deceased and
Dominus both sent oat and returned. I then got no
the mane, and William Knight and I begged them no
to go. They went • second time half way between the
crane and pier head. I saw • wave come and tb•y both
disappeared for some time. 1 saw one of them for a
mooed going over bead foremost between the Snmeway
on the pier I beard deceased call "help" Swiss, mid I
said to Mr. White there is one of them walked ewer,
I met deceased coming back arid he said Dimmers b
over, and I went back with dammed to look fertile)i.
I could not see hire anywhere. Mr. W. Knight wart
then claming up, and I fold dammed and Knight to look
out whllit I went for help. When I caste bads deceased.
was gone, and Dimmers was out gate. From the time
I left deceased to my return was about flu minutes..
When demesed cried for help he was soloing towards.
me. Whilst deceased was waiting and looking for
Demmer,, in my absence. be must have been washed or
knocked over among,t the piles and rooks, and the same
wave mast have washed Demmer' out.
Job Gale gave evidence to the effeet that he was,
on the beach mu the torpor of the east cliff ea
the evening in question shoal half-past ten when he
espied the body, and by forming a cham with other men.
be got into the water, seised the body sad dragged it
ou
After hearing the evidence, the jury returned nvsidiot
of " Aocidentally drowned." The body was reasoned to-
me Hyde during the day, and there awaits burial.
General sympathy la felt with the fondle in their earl
bereavment, and great regret at the untimely death of
this young gentleman who would slimy@ lend a helping
band to thou who needed it, sad was kind to his
inferiora. Mr. J. Gundry we believe was from home,
but was at ones telegraphed for.
In consequence of this event the Dramatic perform-
advertised to be given by the lit 111tV.111., have
been postponed until after Iseter.
By the death of Mr. I. C. salundry wasammies have
been sassed in the Dorset Militia and the itridport
Volunteer Artillery Corps, In both of which times be
was a lieutenant.

SYMONDSBURT.
Is • former number of sec paper we reported two
moat successful oonserts tire were Oren In the new
sch000l•rooms. Since then we are aivea to understand
that there have been readings grid' weak every Thursday
evening. We very much regret te bear, as they have
even so much pleasure to the parishiloners, that those
readings will be shortly discontinued in consequence of
the approach of lost. The last reading before the Holy
Season will he held oe Thursday. Feb. 4th. The
entertainment commences at half-past seVen eSlOOlf.