The Sun. — 1846-05-21 (London, England)

SOUHWARK. A LEAP FROM WATERLT 00-BRIDGE. Charles Smith, a young man of respectable appearance, was brought before Cottinghatn, charged 'with making a very determined attempt upon his life, by throwing himself off the centre arch of Waterloo-bridge into the river. Inspector Everest, of the Thames police, stated that on Sunday night, the 3d instant, about twelve o'clock, while on duty in a boat on the river, on passing one of the arches of Waterloo-bridge, the tide running down at the time, his attention was called on hearing a heavy splash in the water. He immediately rowed to the spot, and after some little time saw a snan floating on the surface, and succeeded in dragging him into the boat. He was perfectly insensible, and finding him in that condition, he lost no time in conveying him with assistance to the " Feathers" public-house, in the Waterloo-road, and Mr. Hardey, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, having been immediately called in, the usual remedies for producing resuscitation were adopted with success. It was, however, discovered that the defendant had received such serious injuries in precipitating himself from such a height off the bridge, that it was deemed necessary to have bins afterwards taken to Charing-cross Hospital, in which institution he remained to the present time. The inspector added, that on finding the defendant was sufficiently recovered to be enabled to leave the hospital, he brought him up to this Court to be dealt with as the magistrate deemed expedient. Policeman 72 F stated that on the. Sunday night in question, while on'duty on Waterloo-bridge, as he was walking from the north towards the south side. he observed the defendant approaching him from the latter direction. When the defendant got near him, he made a sudden spring upon the parapet, and then descended upon the abutment of the bridge, and although he (policeman) in a moment seized him by the hair, yet he disengaged himself from his; grasp, and 'ejaculating the words "good bye," precipitated himself head foremost into the river. The policeman added that he heard the splash made by the defendant falling into the water; but although he looked over the parapet he could not distinguish •laim, owing to the darkness, and he concluded that he was drowned. He (the policeman) afterwards descended to the steps of the bridge on the Surrey side, and to his surprise the inspector and his man were in the act of removing the defendant ashore from their boat. Mr. COFTINGHAM questioned the defendant as to his situation in life, and the cause of his having made such a determined attempt at suicide. In reply the young man stated that he was in the employ of Mr. Maudsley, a cutler, in Wych-street, Strand, and that on the Sunday in question he spent the evening with some friends at Walworth, and was induced to take more drink than he was accustomed to do. He had no recollection of the circumstances above described until subsequent to his removal to the hospital, and he could now assure the re magistrate that he deeply regretted the attempt he had a upon his life. The defendant's mother, a respectable sfvuomneaxne,eaptttioenndehedle, and stated that he was a young m character, and that she was confidaenetahenever thatohad it notwould havebeen for the liquor he was advised to tak attempted such a rash act. She added that from thatheprhecaidpiutantfionrgtunately sustained such serious injuries himself off the bridge that she was afraid he would never recover the shock given to his constltutlon. Mr. CorrixisisAar having addressed someieri delivered up into the useful advice to the young man, permitted him to be care of his parent.