Kentish Gazette 8 January 1802.

Saturday last died Mr. Lavender, master of the "Kings Arms" public house, Holborn Lane, Chatham.

braddyFrom the Kentish Gazette, 27 October 1840.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT CHATHAM. SEVEN LIVES LOST.

On Monday evening a fearful accident happened in the Medway, near Chatham, by which seven men perished. It appeared that a party of lumpers, 16 in number, had been at work on board a merchant ship in the river, and about seven o'clock they all got into a skiff for the purpose of returning to the shore. It was then blowing a gale from the N.W., and the water was very rough, while the boat was not at all adapted for a heavy sea, or to carry to many persons. On nearing a vessel close in shore, over which the party intended to go for the purpose of stepping from the ship to the shore, a wave rolled in, and in rebounding from the ship struck the boat, and the men becoming alarmed all got up and made a rush to get ashore, but ere one of them could reach the land the boat capsized and immersed the whole party in the stream. A distressing scene ensued; the parties clung to each other and begun struggling in the water, and before any assistance could reach them, seven of them perished. Some of the survivors managed to swim ashore, and others were picked up by a fishing boat. Measures were immediately taken to recover the drowning men, but, owing to the boisterous state of the weather, without effect. On Tuesday and Wednesday the bodies of six of the unfortunate men were recovered and taken ashore.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

On Thursday, at 11 o'clock. Mr. Hindo, one of the coroners for the western division of the county, held an inquest at the "King's Arms," Chatham, on the bodies. The names of the misfortunate men are as follows:- James Hovenden, William Curtis, Charles Genr, William Sower, William Paine, James Belsom, and Robert Clarke, six of whom have left widows and a large number of children to deplore their untimely end. A report having got abroad that the boat from which the unfortunate men were lost was not capable of conveying with safety the number of persons, amounting to 16, who had entrusted their lives to it on the occasion in question, the jury made a most minute inspection in order to ascertain that fact. It was found, however, that those rumours were totally unfounded, as the boat was a proper London-built skiff, measuring 20 feet from stem to stern, and four and a half feet in the beam, and was at the time in a perfect and seaworthy condition. On the return of the jury, five men, named Charles Vokes, William Forrester, William Barr, James Hunter, and David Phillips, who were among the survivors and had narrowly escaped, were severally called and examined, but as the depositions were merely a repetition of each other, we shall only give the substance of them.

It appeared that a person named Rawlinson, who resides in Chatham, and follows the business of a timber lumper (i.e. a person who contracts for discharging cargoes of timber,) had sent a number of labourers usually employed by him for this purpose on the day in question on board the brig Amy, of Quebec, laden with timber for the use of her Majesty's dock yard, at Chatham. This brig lay at anchor in the river about 30 or 40 yards westward of the convict-ship, in order to finish the discharge of the cargo, at which her crew had been employed during the five previous days. It was usual for Mr. Rawlinson to accompany his men on such occasions, but having business of a particular nature, which required his attendance elsewhere, he left the management of the matter to an old experienced seaman named Phillips, in whose steadiness and caution he reposed the utmost confidence. The labours of the day having been concluded at half-past five o’clock, the persons whose names are already given, together with three whose named Joseph Hitlay, Thomas Perfect, and William Paine, left the vessel for the purpose of returning to Holborn-wharf, Chatham, about a mile and a half distant from the dock-yard on the same shore. At this time the wind blew a gale from the north, which rendered it necessary for the persons in the boat to row across towards the weather shore, as, on account of the swell, it was impossible to proceed in a direct line with safety. They succeeded in crossing close to the sheer-hulk, and got onwards upwards of a mile under the weather shore, until nearly opposite Holborn-wharf. They then attempted to cross, but when they got into the broken water, within about 20 yards of the desired point, the boat shipped a heavy surf and almost immediately filled. For some time before considerable alarm prevailed amongst the crew, many of whom were altogether inexperienced in nautical matters, but at this critical period the majority lost all self possession, and several of them rose with the intention of precipitating themselves into the water, and trusting to chance for safety. Phillips, who was looked to as the most experienced and cool-headed amongst them addressed them in a brief and hurried manner, telling them that they must look out and not cling to each other, but each endeavour to save himself. Whilst he was speaking three or four of the most daring jumped from the head of the boat—an example which Phillips himself immediately followed; and almost at the same moment, whether from the effect of the rebound or from some other cause, which cannot be correctly ascertained, the boat upset keel upper most. The scene at this moment, as described by all, was truly awful, but the account given by Perfect, who was himself insensible for several hours, and was resuscitated with much difficulty, is perhaps the most vivid. He stated, that after they had been thrown out, he was cast by accident against the boat again, and immediately seized the keel. Almost simultaneously with this effort he felt one of his legs grasped by Belsom, who clung to him with the utmost tenacity, and just as both were about to sink together a receding wave from the shore struck the unfortunate man and carried him into the surge. Perfect, although nearly exhausted, summoned his remaining strength, and with great exertion succeeded in regaining the keel. In an instant a brave little fellow, a mere boy, named Eves, cast a rope, the end of which Perfect luckily caught, and by this means was dragged to the shore, but in a state of utter insensibility. Whilst the lad Evre, assisted by several spectators (crowds of whom had by this time reached the shore), was drawing Perfect to land, the bodies of three others were thrown up within reach by the waves. All hands were in immediate requisition to render every assistance within human power; and whilst the bodies were being removed by some to the parlour of the "King's Arms Tavern," which was almost at hand, and in which a good fire was already blazing, others were despatched in quest of surgeons, seven or eight of whom made their appearance in nearly as many minutes. Every method of resuscitation recommended and adopted by the Humane Society was instantaneously employed by Drs. Bryent, Marlin, Robinson, Tride, and others, whose names our reporter was unable to collect; but, although it was said that Clarke and James showed evident signs of animation after being placed on the floor, yet, with the exception of the case of Perfect already mentioned, the utmost efforts to recover the sufferers were unattended with success.

The usual expedients of applying hot flannels and inflating the lungs were tried, long after the period when such applications might be pronounced hopeless, as the medical man were anxious that nothing which science or ingenuity could suggest should be left unemployed. In the case of Perfect, hot bricks to the soles of the feet were tried; but whether his restoration was attributed to that circumstances or not, were not clearly ascertained. It is likely, however, they they were only useful in his case in consequence of the aid so timely afforded him. Two of the persons whose bodies were washed on shore at the period alluded to were those of men who had been in the marines service for a greet number of years. One, named Gear, had been a sergeant in the Marine Artillery for 28 years. As a great deal of the responsibility rested upon Phillips, in consequence of his master having placed him in charge of the boat and men, he was examined at great length. His evidence, however, which was given in a clear and explicit manner, went merely to show that on many previous occasions he had gone in the same boat with 20 persons, and that therefore it was a perfectly safe conveyance for the number it contained on the occasion in question. He stated, that he had used all the skill and knowledge he possessed, but that no human power could have averted the calamity; at the same time, he believed that if Belsom, who was the first who jumped from the boat, had retained his seat, they might have got safe to shore.

The coroner having summed up the evidence, the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They afterwards desired Mr. Rawlinson to be brought before them, when they assured him that not the slightest blame attached to him in consequence of the melancholy event they had to investigate.

Kentish Gazette 3 November 1840.

DEATHS.

October 23, Mr. Benjamin Braddy, landlord of the "King's Head" sic. public house, Holborn Wharf, Chatham, to which the bodies of the unfortunate men who were lately drowned were taken. Mr. Braddy had for some time been in bad health, but his end was accelerated by that melancholy catastrophe.

Kentish Gazette, 2 January 1844.

The Rival Coroners. A Double Inquest.

On Friday morning last a man named Patrick Knowlan, a private in the 3rd buffs, was discovered lying dead close beneath the platform of a wharf at the bottom of Holborn-lane, Chatham. It would appear that deceased had mistaken his way and fallen from the wharf which is used for landing coals from the river, a depth of about eight feet, upon the muddy beach below, which was then strewn with refuse coal. There was a large and severe wound upon the left temple, and a piece of coal was sticking in the left cheek close below the eye. The whole left side of the face was much contused. He had evidently, from the state of his clothes, been covered with water, which overflows this spot at the period of spring-tides. Although nothing certain is known, it is generally supposed that he took Holborn-lane for the West-lane which leads to the barracks, and that walking forward in the darkness he fell from the wharf.

Mr. Lewis, the coroner for the city of Rochester, claims jurisdiction over all bodies found in the water at this spot, and as the unfortunate man had evidently been immersed, he thought this a proper case for the exercise of his office, and accordingly summoned a jury to sit upon the body at 10 o'clock on Friday morning; but on his going to view the deceased he found that it was at the "King’s Arms," Chatham, in the hands of Bines, the Chatham constable, as the representative of Mr. Hinde, one of the coroners for the eastern division of the county of Kent, who refused to give up the key of the room, but allowed Mr. Lewis and his jury to view the body. They then returned to the "Nag’s Head," Rochester, and having heard the evidence of John Shepherd, a fisherman, who deposed that a carter going on to the beach for coals at half-past seven on Friday morning found the body as already described, the jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead."

Mr. Himle, the county coroner, held another inquest upon the deceased at the "King’s Arms," and after taking the evidence of William Wittingham, the carter, who found the body, and Frederick Collins, a corporal of the 3rd buffs, who stated that he saw the deceased on the evening preceding his death, and he was then sober, the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." Each of the coroners issued a warrant for the interment of the body. The disputed jurisdiction, it is believed, will now be submitted to the decision of a higher court, in order to settle what is here considered a "vexata questio." (Overrun problem.)

South Eastern Gazette, 17 April, 1860.

Friday. (Before the Rev. G. Davies and Capt. Savage).

Ann Sands aid Eliza Knowland were charged with stealing a silver watch from the person of Thomas Brooker, at the "Kings’ Arms" public-house, Holborn-lane.

Prosecutor, a simple-minded countryman, said he was drinking in the tap-room of the "King's Arms" on Saturday night, when Knowland spoke to him and pushed up against him. The other prisoner was also there. Prosecutor remained there about five minutes, and on leaving the house missed his watch, which was worth £2 10s.

Lydia Smith, the landlady of the "King’s Arms," stated that on making enquiries she found that the watch had been pawned by the prisoner Sands the same evening.

Police-constable 86 apprehended the prisoners on the charge, when Sands admitted that she had pledged the watch for a half-crown.

Mr. Willis, pawnbroker, Eastgate, said the watch was pledged by the prisoner Sands on Saturday evening, the same night as the robbery. In reply to the usual questions she said it belonged to her deceased husband; she gave a false address.

The prisoners were both committed for trial.

South Eastern Gazette, 10 July, 1860.

Eliza Noland and Ann Sands, for stealing a watch and appendages, value 30s., from the person of Thomas Brooker on the 7th April.

Noland pleaded guilty. Mr. Harrow was for the prosecution, and Mr. Ribton defended the prisoner Sands.

The watch, it appeared, was stolen by Noland from the prosecutor, at the "King’s Arms" Chatham and was pledged by Sands.

Noland, six months hard labour; Sands (guilty of receiving, but recommended to mercy on account of her family), three months' hard labour.

There was another indictment against both prisoners, which was not proceeded with.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 July, 1860.

Suicide of an Old Man.

On Friday last an inquest was held at the "King’s Arms," Chatham, before T. Hills, Esq., the coroner, on the body of John Field, aged 70 years, who committed suicide the previous day by drowning himself in the Medway.

From the evidence of the witnesses examined it appeared that the deceased, who passed by the nickname of "God save the Queen," was seen for several days sitting by the side of the river at ths New-stairs, and on Thursday morning deliberately walked, into the river, wishing some boys who were there "Good bye."

Deceased almost immediately sank, and on the body being recovered soon afterwards, life was quite extinct. The deceased, who had been in the Medway Union some time, discharged himself about a fortnight since. He had tried to get work, but was unable to obtain any, and this appeared to have preyed on his mind, and he had frequently declared that he would rather do anything than go back to the union.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased destroyed himself in a fit of "Temporary insanity."

South Eastern Gazette, 30 October, 1860.

Robbery of 200 Sovereigns.

On Wednesday last Charles Castles, a private in the Chatham division of Royal Marine Light Infantry, was charged before the magistrates at Rochester, with being concerned, with two other men not in custody, with stealing 200 sovereigns and some other money belonging to Mr. Thos. Greenslade, landlord of the "White Hart" public-house, Brook, Chatham. The robbery was effected about a fortnight since, and the prisoner immediately afterwards deserted. The prisoner, together with several other marines and troops of the line, were drinking in prosecutor’s house on the afternoon and evening of the night of the robbery; the cash-box, which contained upwards of £200 in gold, a few pounds’ worth of silver, bank notes, and some documents, being at the time on the drawers in an upstair bed-room. During the evening a row was got up between the men drinking in the tap-room, and it was then that the robbery was effected, prosecutor being engaged some time in quelling the disturbance. At about twelve o’clock that night the cash-box was found to have been broken open, and on being examined it was discovered that upwards of 200 sovereigns had been abstracted, together with some silver; about £55 bad been left behind. Some time before the robbery the prisoner slept in the house, and on the landlord going upstairs he found him in his bed-room, when prisoner apologised by saying he thought he heard one of his comrades calling him. A night or two after the robbery had been effected, a soldier of the 30th Regt., named Lawrence, entered the Marine barracks and asked for the prisoner, at the same time producing about 70 sovereigns, stating that prisoner and a man named Simpson had a similar amount. On the same evening prisoner and Lawrence were at the "King’s Arms" public-house, Holborn-wharf, where they were conversing about the robbery. Lawrence was heard to say prisoner had arranged the robbery four days before it took place, and that when everything had been prepared prisoner and himself got into the room through the window and carried off £207. A marine named Simpson was "in" the robbery, and had his share. Both Lawrence and Simpson had deserted and had not yet been apprehended. The prisoner also deserted after the robbery, but was apprehended by a city police-constable, when he denied all knowledge of Lawrence, and likewise denied ever having been at the "White Hart" public-house. On crossing Rochester-bridge on his way to the station-house the prisoner was observed to take something from his pocket and throw over the bridge into the river. A few days after a boy named Colley, residing in John-street, happened to be searching among the mud in the river, when he picked up a purse containing 44 sovereigns and a half, which was no doubt what the prisoner had been seen to thrown over the parapet. The prisoner was fully committed for trial.