South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 29 March 1864.

Fatal Boat Accident.

On Wednesday last an inquest was held at the "Prince of Guinea Tavern," Gillingham, before H. Wickham, Esq., deputy coroner, on the body of George Beaver, aged 31, who was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the Medway. The deceased was engaged with another man in conveying passengers to and from the Government fortification works at Bishop's-marsh, and on returning to Gillingham-pier it became necessary to shift the sails of the boat. In doing so the deceased slipped down, falling on the gunwale of the boat, and this, together with the shifting of the ballast, caused the boat to heel over and fall. The deceased endeavoured to reach the shore, but failed, and sank in deep water, the body not being recovered until a fortnight afterwards, when it was found floating close to the spot where deceased sank.

The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat.