The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-09 00:00:00

THE STOURRIIIDGF OBSERVER_

A FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

A fatal accident happened on the Thames on Monday
afternoon, by which two ladies were drowned.

It appears that a family named Stewart, living in
the Donniogton-road, Redlands, Reading, determined
to spend the Bank holiday by holding a picnic at
Streatley, about eight miles from the town, though by
water it is much further. The family consisted of Mr.
and Mrs. Stewart, their two sons, Mr. Thomas Stewart,
about 26 years of age Mr. Willie Stewart about 21
years of age, and two daughters, Annie and Harriet,
aged 33 and 23 respectively. The elder one, who
was married, was accompanied by her husband, Mr.
White. It was arranged that the father and mother
should go by train to Streatley and that the others
should come up by water, the young men agreeing
to take turns in towing. A light pair-oared boat was
engaged and the party started from Reading. After
passing Pangbourne lock the younger brother got into
the boat, and the elder brother and Mr. White shared
the towing duties. When halfway between Pang-
bourne and Goring, Miss Stewart, who was steering,
in order to clear a projecting spur, inadvertently
pulled the wrong rope (the ropes had apparently be-
come crossed), and as the current was very swift owing
to the great fall of water from the resent storm it
seized the head of the boat, spun it round, and cap-
sized it. Neither of the gentlemen on the bank
could swim, and though there were plenty of pleasure
parties on the water, there was no boat near or in
sight. Mr. Willie Stewart could swim, though but a
little, and wlth great gallantry he went down after
his si,,tera brought thew to the surface twice, and
by tremendous exertion managed to tight the boat
and put his youngest sister, Harriet, across it. He
endeavoured, to pull his sister, Mrs. White, up in
the same way. His strength, however, failed him,
he let her go, and she sank and she' did not rise again.
At the same moment the boat again overturned and
Mies Stewart sank almost simultaneously. Young
Btrwart, who was lying exhausted in the boat,
managed to cling to it. In the meantime the screams
of the drowning ladies had attracted the attention of
the occupants of another boat coming up the river.
They hastened to Stewart's rescue and took him off.
Tee husband on the bank went into a fit.—Wednes-
day's Times.

HARVEST PROSPECTS.

Under date Tlptree-hall, Kelvedon, Essex, July 31, Mr.
Mechi writes to lhe luieB

Sir,—Three brilliant perfect summer days cheered
our spirits, and enabled us and our neighbours to
secure, in good condition, our grass and clover hay—a
bulky crap, but hastily grown.
The super-sodden fields are, on the drained land,
gradually losing their muddy condition, and the crops
are assuming a more healthy appearance under the
ripening influence of brilliant sunshine, so that we still
hope to begin wheat harvest about the 20th of
August. The weeds are supreme among the corn,
but we are busy in trying to remove them from the
root crops. Mangele, unlike turnip, require much
sunshine, and are therefore late this wet, dull season.
Wheat, on the whole, promises to be the best of the
cereal crops.
To-day we have gentle showers, and a dull, warm
atmosphere. I hear of some rot in potatoes, and in
other cases of an abundant yield.
_ _

Partridges are spoken of gloomily on our heavy
clays.

Monday's Magnet says :—" The fine weather has
had a good effect upon the growing crops. Although
everything is very backward, a decided improvement
has been wrought, and should the fine weather con-
tinue the gloomy apprehensions so freely indulged in
of late will happily not be verified. Harvest also will
be earlier than was anticipated. Of the cereal crops
wheat is looking the best, and barley about the worst.
Reports of potato rot more frequent; but with dry
weather possibly this drawback will disappear. The
hay crop has turned out very well."