Kentish Gazette, 20 January 1852.

Rochester. Extraordinary Discovery.

On Saturday, as some persons were employed near the works of the new bridge, they discovered the body of a man floating in the river. Assistance was immediately obtained, and the body taken out. On examination, it appeared to be the body of a sailor, apparently about 50 years of age, and had the appearance of having been in the water at least two months; and from the rapid work of decomposition, it presented a revolting sight. The most extraordinary discovery was that it seemed to have been fastened down by a stake into the mud, the stake being still found connected with the corpse. An inquest was held the same day at the "Ship Inn," but was adjourned for the purpose of identification, and that enquiries may be instituted by the police, which may clear up the mystery attached to this discovery.

Kentish Gazette, 6 July 1852.

Rochester Quarter Sessions.

The Midsummer Quarter Sessions for the city were holden on Saturday week, before J 'Espinusse Esq., Recorder.

George Williams, 24, for having, on the 26th of April, at Strood assaulted and beaten police constable McGeorge, whilst in the execution of his duty in removing prisoner from the "Ship" public house, where he had been creating a disturbance.

The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 4 months' hard labour.

Kentish Gazette, 26 September 1854.

Rochester. Sudden Death.

An inquest was hold at the "Ship Inn," on Thursday last, by J. Lewis, Esq., city coroner, on the body of John Streep, aged 48.

It appeared from the evidence that John Wadhams was engaged as watchman at Sharfleet creek, about noon on Wednesday. He saw a dredging boat with its sails set, run ashore at the marsh, which led him to suppose that something was wrong. He made to the boat and saw the deceased, no one else was on board. He was standing abaft against the tiller, with his hands holding on at each side, and his head bent forward almost down to the deck; he was quite dead. He had evidently just hauled up the dredge, which was lying partly in and partly out of the boat. There was no froth or blood about the face, or other appearance showing the cause of death. He seemed quite well previously. Wadhams had known the deceased many years, and knew that he long had an affection of the spine, which much crippled him in walking or moving. He had often gone dredging alone although unable to get from the stern to the head of the boat.

John Lee stated that the deceased had sailed with him formerly, and he was much disabled from work by the by the affection of the spine, and he had appeared lately much lamer from it, though in general health, he had been a hearty man.

Verdict - Died by the visitation of God - cause not known.