Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1879-09-20 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SWIMMING COMPETITION AT  STOCKTON.  On Monday evening a very interesting natatory competition took place at the Public Baths, Stockton, under the auspices of the local Amateur Swimming Club. The programme comprised eight events, but the list was slightly extended by the introduction of a "special race" and some pretty ornamental swimming by Mr W. Somerville-Woodiwis. There was a large gathering of spectators, and during the evening the proceedings were enlivened by the performance of the Thornaby Ironworks Brass Band. The first competition was between boys under fourteen years of age, the distance being two lengths of the bath. James Blaine, after a sharp contest, beat H. Pallent, and took the first prize. The second item of the programme was a four lengths handicap for the gold. medal of the club, and a second prize of 7e 6d. The entries for the race were D. Edwards (scratch), P. Long (14 secs.), C. Palmer (25 secs.), and W. G. Treby (26 secs.). All the competitors had previously swam for the medal during the present season, and had each been successful in winning it. The present race was to decide, therefore, which one of them should permanently possess the badge of honour. Mr Palmer did not start. A keen coated took place between the other three, resulting in Treby winning by about a couple of yards. Edwards was second, and Long not very far On Friday week a middle-aged man behind. Next came a race of eight lengths named George Bates committed suicide in of the bath between residents within a radius the Tees between Stockton and Newport. of twelve miles of Stockton. Those who It appears that the deceased (who formerly competed were J. Robson, Hy. Hill, H. kept a public-house at Bank Top, but has Davis, M. Dunn, D. Edwards, J. Mewbturn, latterly lived in Middlesbrough) was a pas- H. Brinkworth (all of Stockton), and H. senger by the Royal Charlie steamboat Christison, of Hartlepool. The first prize from the Stockton Ferry Landing. As this was well won by Edwards; Davis came in was the 745 trip of the boat, she did not go about two yards behind him,and took second farther down the river than Newport. The prize; and. Dann carried tiff the third. deceased, however, did not land there; and Robson was a good fourth. Three handsome prizes were next competed for between memon the boat leaving for the return journey to p Stockton the deceased jumped overboard, hers of the club who had learned to swim He was rescued, however, in the course of a since becoming members. The winners few minutes and brought on to Stockton, were J. Hopper, 1; H. Hart, 2; and J. Hart, where he was taken to the Police Station. 3. All the competitors were juveniles, but The assistance of Dr. Oliver was promptly they nevertheless exhibited considerable obtained, and every effort was used in the pluck and. some degree of skill. The hope of bringing about the recovery of the next event was a "long swim under water." unfortunate fellow. He died, however, at G. Dine:hie was the first to take a plunge. one o'clock last Saturday morning from the He made a good length and a quarter of the effects of the drenching he had received. On bath. Following him came W. Hale, who, Saturday afternoon Mr Coroner Settle held amid loud applause, made two lengths and a an enquiry at the Stockton Borough Police quarter. H. Christison came next with a Court into the circumstances attending the length and about seven-eighths ; and lastly H. death of George Bates. The evidence Brinkworth, who went nearly three times showed that the deceased went from Stock- the length of the bath in splendid style, and ton to Newport by the ferryboat Royal Charlie gained a ringing cheer from the crowd who at a quarter to eight on the evening named, lined the edge of the water. The first prize He re-entered the boat at Newport, and when was consequently awarded to Brinkworth, about 300 yards on the way to Stockton he and the second to Hale. The "specially jumped over the side of the vessel. The arranged" race then took place between Mr engines of the boat were immediately re- Somerville-Woodiwis and Mr B. Johnson, versed, and deceased was picked up in the over eight lengths of the bath. Both swimcoarse of about ten minutes. On arrival at mers disported themselves with exquisite Stockton he was conveyed to the Police Sta- easy and gracefulness, and it was for some tion, where Dr. Oliver attended him. Not- time extremely doubtful which of the two withstanding the efforts of the doctor and would prove the winner. lii the final the police, the unfortunate man expired "run," however, Mr Woodair's put on a about one o'clock.-9 son of the deceased slight "spurt," and reached the goal was called to give evidence in reference to about two yards in advance of the state of the deceased's mind of late, his opponent. By way of imparting Deceased was by profession an engine and. variety to the proceedings Mr Woodiwis then boiler inspector. Since his wife's death he gave an exhibition of ornamental swimming, had been somewhat irregular in his habits, and elicited the loud and prolonged plaudits and his son believed that drink had affected of all present. In a four lengths handicap his father's mind.—The jury returned a ver- which followed J. Smythe (23 secs.) took diet of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane." first prize, D. Edwards (scratch) second, and W. G. Treby (23 secs) third; and in a race on the back J. Robson won the first prize, and S. Green second. The concluding event was a diving contest, which was much enjoyed. A word of praise is certainly due to Mr Woodiwis and Mr Thos. R. Lax (hon. secs.) for the excellent manner in which they carried out their duties.  The Coroner then asked the jury to consider their verdict.  The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict that the cause of death was peritonitis (or inflammation of the bowels), and that the deceased had brought about his death by his own misconduct. At the suggestion of the Foreman of the jury, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Douglas for the fair, concise, and intelligent manner in which be had given hiq evidence. The enquiry extended over six hours.  The man Thomas Johnson a rivetter, who had been charged with causing the death of Gurney was brought before the borough magistrates at Stockton on Monday morning and acquitted.