The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-02-17 00:00:00

Ship at Michas.
Bs Newcastle -
44)1 Sunderland .
4 Scotch Coal .

MIRACULOIrS ESCAPE.

Dt73ITUIES, FEB. B—About ten o'clock in the morning of Sem
day last, while the Nub was rolling from bank to bra:, a little bey.
about seven years old, son of William llowat, carter in Mowed.
town, having become giddy by gazing too intensely on a faendtg
eddy, lost his balance, and tumbled over the brow into the ngi-g
flood, nearly opposite to Provost Shortridge's brewery. This eddy,
or tiny whirlpool, is formed by a buttress built several hundred
years ago ; and such was the force of the bark current, that the
boy, in the first instance, was carried up the stream as far as the
last arch of the Old Bridge, where, after more than one dragons
lution, he was at length caught iby the main stream. and Awned
rapidly down the river. Alarmed by the cries of the boy's Isle'
it number of spectators hastened to the spot, who deeming it ii s.
sible to render any help, continued to gaze on the scene of dexa
expecting to see the little sufferer dashed over the Caul, or suffoestel
amidst the great body of water that rushes with such force thrattgh
the gullet-door. Such, in fact, was the strength of the current,
that the boy could not well sink, and it was observed, that he con-
stantly turned his eye in the direction of his father, whose feelings
it would he in vain to attempt to describe. And here, while every
arm was powerless, and every heart despairing, an intrepid youth,
of the name of \Valiant Johnstone conceived that it was possible
to rescue the poor child. The " gullet-door," as it is toad, is
opened and shut by a peculiar machine fixed on the rirer's bask.
with strong iron chains extending to the edgy of the darmbesd, ad
by means of these the fearless youth contrived to warp himself down
into the stream. Ilis situation, of course, was perilous in the ex,
treme ; yet by clinging with nee hand and extending the other, be
contrived to seize hold of the half-drowe.ed ehildjust as he was gbd-
ing into the yawning chasm. But here a new difficulty occurred—for
to retreat wasimpossible—to advance truism death.--Other per-
sons ventured a little way on the chains, but their calls were she.
gether useless ; and before ropes could be procured, Johnstone had
to support both his own and the boy's weight for nearly a quaster of
an hour. Ropes, however. were got at length, by thcjudick as 111 f of
which both the poor child and his brave defiance were safely
rs-
tricated, to the great delight of the sympathising spectators. Far
a considerable time the boy was insensible; but 3lr. Spalding, cur-
-1 goon, happening to be present, by his assistance he was immedi-
ately conveyed to a warm bed, and in a few hours restored to the
use of his faculties. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Wrti-
Johnstone. Considering the state of the river, the proximity
the Caul, the celerity of his motions, and the risks lie ran alter
ther, we firmly believe, that a deed of greater daring was met ht.
fore attempted, far lea successfully executed.

&WM&
On Sunday hut, at Waltham, near Grimsby, the lady of S. AI•
nington, Esq., of a eon and heir.
()n Monday at Laceby, the lady of R. Cropper, Esq., of s
daughter.
On Wednesday, at Kelton Hall, the lady of Stephen Eva.
Erg., of a son and heir.