The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-22 00:00:00

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A WATER PARTY.

Y•RMOUTH, SEPT. 19.
On Friday afternoon last, between five and six o'clock,
a most distressing scene was witnessed on our river, near
Fisher's Quay, caused by the upsetting of a boat. A large
party of ladles and gentlemen, consisting of Mr. Andrews,
the Misses Sarah, Catherine, Mary, and Frances Andrews,
son and daughters of the late Rev. Mr. Andrews, of Flemp-
ton Hall, near Bury, the Rev. Mr. Harris, Mr. Power,
and Mr. Cape, engaged a boat in the morning of the above
day of Mr. J. Stone, on the North Quay, for the purpose
of enjoying a sail on that fine piece of water near this town
called i3raydon. The party left Mr. Stone's Quay about
eleven o'clock, and had spent the day in the most pleasant
and agreeable manner possible. On their return, when
near Turner's Bowling Green, it was suggested that they
should land there, but a man, named James Bull, in the em-
ploy of Mr. Stone, observing their intention, advised them to
proceed to the place from whence they started, and there
land; Bull, then, unsolicited, got into the boat with the
party, for the purpose. of &misting them down with
it. The boat afterwards gently dropped down the river
with the tide, shout 200 yards further, when they arrived
at Mr. Stone's Quay, where they were about to land. One
of the gentlemen here got ii.to a smaller boat, in which
were two boys, and was put on shore. Bull then threw
the jib-halyard to the gentleman on shore, for him to
make it fast, without properly securing it first to the side
of the beat, which he ought to have done ; the rope was
thus tut from the mast-head to the shore. The tide was
running very strung at the time, which caused the head of
the boat to sheer oft' from the shore, consequently it was
carried round with its side to the current, and, owing to the
rope being improperly fast at the mast-head, it upset, when
all on board were precipitated into the river. The distress-
ing and heart-rending scene that followed may be imagined,
which it is scarcely possible to describe. Eight individuals
were seen in the water struggling for life, with their hats,
bonnets, oars, &c. floating about in all direction., and from
the strength of the tide they were carried into the middle
of the raver, which increased the apprehensions for their
safety.
The accident was observed by many people, who gave
the alarm, and several boats immediately put off to their
assistance, some without oars, others with only one, and
from the confusion which necessarily ensued, it was much
doubted whether any of them could be saved. We are,
however, happy to add, that the passengers were almost
miraculously watched by those in boats from a watery
grave, some of them in a very exhausted state, the spark of,
life being nearly extinct. The gentlemen suffered but
little inconvenience, as they were, we understand, able to
swim, and thus kept themselves above water; but the
ladies Boated down the river, buoyed up only by their
clothes, sonic of diem nearly to the bridg.,, a distance of
200 yards, before they were picked up. The first female
that was landed was Miss S. Andrews, in a very exhausted
state; she was immediately taken to the St. John's Head
public-house, where every assistance was rendered, and she
soon recovered. The other three, as they were brought on
shore, apparently in a lifeless state, were taken to the
house of our Mayor elect, Charles Costerton, Esq. which was
soon filled with friends anxious to render their assistance.
Mr. Costerton (who is an eminent surgeon of very extensive
practice) was fortunately at home, or the lives of some of
the young ladies would most probably not have been
spared. The usual means for restoring suspended anima-
tion were resorted to by Mr. Costerton and assistants, who
shortly, succeeded in restoring two of them. Considerable
apprehensions were entertained about Miss C. Andrews, it I
being full ten minutes before the least appearance of life In
her could be produced ; she was, however, eventually re-
stored to her friends. The three ladies were put to bed at
Mr. Costerton's, where they remained that night, receiving
the kindest attentions from Mr. and Mrs. C. They were
removed to their lodgings in Harrison's-buildings on the
following day, and we are happy to hear they are all fast
recovering. The most distressing part of this unfortunate
occurrence remains to be related, that of one life being lost.
James Bull, the man who went on board unsolicited, was
in the boat when it upset, and has never since been seen or
heard of. It is supposed he must have been stunned by a
blow on the boat going over, as he was an excellent swim-
mer. The body of Bull has not yet been found. He has
left a wife and five small children, the whole of whom
have been bad with the small-pox, and a sixth child died
about a fortnight since of the same dreadful disease. We
therefore hope, from the distressing situation in which the
family is thus suddenly placed, some humane individual
will take up their case, and befriend the widow and the
fatherless.

PANATICISX.—Ahout three week" ago, a notice was
posted at the entrance of the town of I)evonport, announc-
ing " Tim John Rowe, a servant of God, who had
travelled into foreign countries, would, on Sunday after-
noon, preach in the Brick Field the doctrine of the redemp-
tion of the body." This man, who it seems professes to
follow the creed of Johanna Soutbcott, told his auditors
that it was necessary to eternal salvation, to wear the beard
uncut, or according to his own words, "As the beard
lengthened, the faith strengthened ; and since that period,
five shipwrights of the dock yard have left off shaving,
and they are at present going about the street, looking more
like " hirsati atityri" than men. They express a firm de-
termination to contioue unshorn to the end of their days,
in spite of the persecutions and scoffing' of unenlightentri
sinners.—Wcstgra Lu Pi ina7.