The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-03-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SID DROWNING FATALITY AT EG REMONT.  On Monday morning, Mr. H. Chorton, district coroner, held an inquest at the King's Arms Hotel, Liscard.road, Liecard. on the body of Harry Mayall, aged 23, of 45, Falkland-road. Egromont, who was drowned on Saturday last. The deceased was the sou of Alderman John Mayall, J.P., of Rock Bank, Moseley, near Manchester, and was a member of the firm of Mayan Brothers, cotton brokers, Liverpool. _  The first witness called was Jane Harrison, who said she was in the service of Mr. Edwin Mavall, brother of the deceased, who lived at 45, Valkland.road. The deceased, who was a single man, lived with his brother. On Saturday night, just before 11 o'clock, deceased went out of the house, saying that he was going out tirmeet his brother. He seemed to be perfectly well, having taken a hearty tea. She did not notice anything peculiar in his manner, and he had often been out late at night. Edwin Mayan, brother of the deceased, said he last saw the dcceased alive at the ,ifice at 11 o'clock on Satnrday morning, when witness left. On Sanday morning he heard of the occurrence, and daring the day the body was brought to the house Tha deceased was wearing his rough yachting snit. Witeess examined the body and noticed a severe braise on the right temple, and the bridge of the nose was also bruised. Witness arrived home from Liverpool by the quarter to 11 Seacombe boat, and came into the house by the back door as his brother went out at the front door. The deceased was in heavy training as an athlete, and generally went out for a long walk after having elate meal, on that witness was not surprised at his absence. The deceased was a very strong swimmer. James Stanley, living at Marine.terrace, Magazines, said on Saturday night last, at 1135, he was on the sea wall at Egremont, when be beard the cries of a man calling for help. He looked out towards the river, bet at first did not see anything. Os the cry being repeated be looked out and saw a inane head in the water. It was high water at the time, the tide being on the ebb, bat the water was high up the wall. Witness, in answer to the Coroner, said he had always gone along the wall on the way home, but he should not do so again. The place woo badly lighted, and it was possible for anyone walking along the wall to fall in the river. Where he saw the man's head was opposite the wide part of the wall opposite the hoarding. There was only one lamp, end that was at the extreme end of the wall. On seeing the head he sent his nephew, who was with him, to the ferry.. He returned with a lifebuoy, bat it was useless, as the deceased had gone down. By a Jeryman: The deceseed seemed to get little nearer to the wall, but not much. It was possible that in falling the head of the deceased might have come in contact with the steps. A Juryman: There are several flights of steps which are very unprotected, and one portion of the wall is very narrow. Mr. Mayall said his brother could swim the whole length of the wall against the tide with his clothes on. He had seen him do it.  _ John Gowdie,stageman at Egremont Ferry, said on receiving information that there was someone in the water he went on to the wall to the man Stanley. On the way he heard distinct cry from the river. About 3.30 on Sonday morning, the tide having gone down, witness recovered the body of the deceased, about 30 or 40 yards (tom the wall. The Coroner: It is not often that accident 3 happen here, is it? Witness: A good many fall over there. I have brought one gentleman to the Magazines who had his hip put out one night., The Coroner: I don't remember myself having to do with any cases of falling into the sea and getting drowned. Witness: No. _  A juryman observed that there were a good many complaints about the wall, and that there ought to be a rail or some protection. The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said in considering this case it was quite evident that there Wfti no direct evidence to prove by what means this unfortunate yonng man mot with his death. It was pretty clear that he was in the habit of going out late at night, minim. larly after baying taken a heavy supper. He was in constant training and a wonderfully strong swimmer, which rendered the case no mach more mysterious and difficult to unravel. He dared say, however, that if the young man had fallen into the water and had not come into contact with anything between the wall and the river, he woald have been alive at the present moment. He did not suppose that anyone would entertain the idea of suicide ("No, no ") and there was no one to prove tnat he accidentally fell into the river, and therefore he apprehended that the jury would probably return an open verdict. It was in their power to make a presentment with regard to the lighting of the wall. His own impression was that they had ample grounds for making a presentment to the Local Board. Considering the number of people who must pass and repass backwards and forwards over that wall late at night, it was only right that the Local Board should be made to know that of all points in the parish of Wallasey this was one of very considerable danger. After a short deliberation the jury brought in a verdict of "Found drowued," there being 110 direct evidence as to how the deceased entered the water. The jury added& present. ment suggesting to the authorities that the wall should be lighted and guarded better than it was at present. The Corouer agreed with the verdict, re. marking that he often went along the wall in the day time, but he had more regard for his life than to go there at night. The jury further wished to express their deep sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.