The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1906-08-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

RIVER DUCKING&  PLUOKY RISOUE BY A WOODSIDE FERRY HAND.  Passengers by Woodside ferry were twice within three hours on Saturday afternoon subject to the excitement which inevitably accompanies the cry of "man overboard.' About half-past twelve the ferryboat Lancashire had made its way across from Liverpool, and was approaching the Woodside stage, when one of the crew, named William Moreton, who was standing preparing the ropes to moor the after-end of the vessel, saw a man mount the rail and jump into the water between the boat and the stage. The flood tide was just at it. strongest at the time, being about midway between low and high water, but without a moment's consideration, and regardless of the peril to himself, Moreton sprang into the river after the drowning man, whose name was Martin Walsh. Having jumped from the stern of the Lancashire, Walsh was near the south-end of the stage, and would soon have been borne off up the river by the rapid current. Moreton, however, clutched him, and just as he did so they were caught by the back wash from the ferryboat. He swam for the stage with his burden and succeeded in grasping one of the life chains hanging from it, otherwise matters would have gone hardly with both men, as they would probably have been unable to keep from under the pontoons. Moreton is a strong swimmer, and Walsh being already weak and emaciated when, he entered the water, was fortunately unable to struggle much and thus add to the difficulty of Moreton's task. Both of them were safely raised on to the stage, and Walsh was hurried up to the receiving house, where a ferry inspector superintended resuscitative operations. Meanwhile the Lancashire, which had had to lie off the stage, was able to land its passengers, and so promptly had the boatman acted that the delay was only some five or six minutes in duration. The boat was crowded at the time, and much excitement prevailed among the passengers. Some, smitten with a morbid curiosity above their fellows, were quite disappointed when they followed up to the receiving house and found their way barred by a closed door. Illoreton's rescue was considered a very plucky one, especially as he was only an extra hand taken on at the ferry for the summer months. Subsequently Walsh was removed to the workhouse hospital. The other case occurred at three o'clock , when a labourer named Morton Henderson jumped into the river from the cattle stage. lie was most persistent in his refusal of assistance, and started swimming away, when a seaman named William Nugent sprang in to him with a lifebuoy. He was however "headed off" and after some extraordinary chasing in the water he was at last hauled on board the Dock Board tender Galatea and was handed over to the police.  Both men were charged at the Birkenhead Police Court on Monday, before Messrs. A. E. Once, J. Moon, and E. Wil-IMms, with having attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Mersey. The first came was that of Morton Henderson, a powerful looking man.—P.C. Jones stated that at about half-past two on Saturday afternoon he was on duty at the floating roadway at Woodside when he heard someone call out that a man had jumped into the river. Running to the edge of the stage he saw the prisoner in the water with a seaman named Nugent, whose assistance prisoner was refusing. Afterwards, however, a lope aas thrown from the Dock Board tender Galatea, which was lying at the stage, and prisoner seized it. Be was drawn towards the vessel, but let go and swain away. Another roue was thrown and this entangled his head, and by this means he was again drawn to the vessel and pulled aboard by means of LI ladder. He was unconscious and "near his last," but artificial respiration brought him round. In amiwer to the charge prisoner said he had fallen over the chains. WilliamN agent, ,eanian on board the (iatatea, said he heard the cry of "man overboard." Seeing prisorer in the water he immediately jumped in, but prisoner, whu would no: avail himself of a lifebuoy had been thrown to him, called out  "blo av-ae: leave ate alone. I want to die." sweet all right and tried to keep away Irmo witness. Afler awhile he took hold of I,le lifebuoy and also of a rope which wa, thrown from the vessA, only to let go of both afterward,. Ity means of abotbee rope he was taken aboard. Ile asked what ship he was on, and when told, said "It I. can't do it one way, I will take voisen."  lleney Cunningham, of the Galatea, also gave eV (kill,. and Bernard Gallagher said that white on the stage he saw prisoner take three or four st rich s, jump the chains, throw his cap clown, and lean into the river.  _ Prisoner denied having attempted to commit suicide. Su far :IS he knew he was swinging on the chains when he slipped and tnrning a somersault fell into the water.  The Chairman stated that he had been before them for similar offences, and would now have to pay a fine of Ms. and costs, in addition to being bound over for six months, or go to prison foe fourteen days.