The Express.
London, England, 1852-10-06 00:00:00

THE LATE LIFE BOAT ACCIDENT AT
LYTHAM.

LYTHAM. TURSDAT.
The district coroner, Mr. Palmer, of Preston, held
I au inquest at this place yes'urday afternoon, over die Wan
of John Davis, aged 33, Thomas Gillett, 29, sod Owego
Cooke." 41—three of the eight unfortunate um Idle wen
drowsed es Pride, last, by the capsizing of the Wt-bat.
Ths bodies 6:Cookson and Gillett were mounted w Satur-
day, baying hem washed up on the "Middle Bank," a
short diatoms from the spot when the accident occurred ;
Davia's body was found on Sunday nioraing in Creston
Pool. the remains of the *Vier sufferers—viz. William
Swans, Jots Gillett, Join Whiteside, Thomas ilardman,
sad Jams Winder—had not been recovered when this at-
coast was despatched. The only witnesses examined by the
(*router were Richard Gillett and James Parkinson, the
two survivals of the boat's crew, who deposed to the
fasts of the accident as they have been already gives.
The following passages in the evidence throw some light on
the immediate muss of thy occurrence _ . .

Coroner—l 'appose Swann (the captain of the life-boat)
was an experienced sailor?
Witness (Oillstt)—Yes, but I think he was a little to
blame. When the wind became so rough, some of the men
were mations for the sad to be token down, but Swann
would sot allow it. Ifs said he wished to try the boat fully.
The wen thought that at all events another reef should be
taken in.

A Juryman—Wes the boat full of rester then the crew
masted to bays another reef taken to 1. .

Witness—Nu. Her lee gunwale wu about a foot under
water, and had been for some time.
By the Coroner—Whilst wu were out, I perceived the
door of lone of the air bones open, and I don't know that
it was afterwards closed. Hit had been closed, I think the
boat would have righted.
The general opinion of the jury seemed to be that the
boat was prevented from righting by the wet 'sit.
Mr. Houghton (a juryman)—Were you not cautioned,
before going out, to take your life.le Its ?
Witness—Yes ; the Rev. Mr. Self said we had better
take them; but as it did not then blow very hard, we
Lb/night we could do without them.
The jury, after a brief address from the Coroner, retired
to consider their verdict. Oa their return,
The Foreman said they wished to return a verdict of
" Accidentally drowned, resulting from mismanagement."
The Coroner intimated that he could not take that ver-
dict. Though there seemed to hero been a little error of
judgment on the part of Swann, still, bail ha survived, he
(the Coroner) thought that he could not be charged with
manslaughter; but, ss he had gone to his account. the jury
meet dismiss that point from their condderation.
The j.ury then agreed to • verdict of " Accidentally
drowned"
. .

On the same evening a meeting of gentlemen was held at
the Clifton Arno Hotel, for the purpose of organising a
csemnittee to obtain subscriptions for the relief of the,
widows and orphans of the sufferers. Mr. J. Talbot Clif-
ton, of Lytham Hail, presided, and there was a numerous
atissiime et thew who sympathised with the bereaved.
Nady ism contributed in a few minutes, the chair-
men boneing the subscription list with on his owe
bthalf,OM W. for Mrs Clifton. Gentlemen were deputed
to nithe dastisse ia Promo sad el./ where.

evei4l iilsr • sentoni; iCiobn's Church,
Lythros, by the Paw. .R. Self. 331. was received for the
saes bovevairat object. Ina short timr, therefore, a vary
hasimas son will be realised.