Melancholy Catastrophe at Southport Liverpool Mercury May 31 1822

Extract of a letter from Southport

“ A melancholy occurrence has happened here, and has thrown a gloom over this generally gay little place. Yesterday about noon, four gentlemen embarked in a pleasure-boat belonging to Col. GERARD of Windle Hall, who has for some time been residing here with part of his family; he was of the party and was accompanied by the venerable and much respected Rev. Francis CRAYTHORNE of Garswood, Mr Roger ADAMSON of Ashton, and his eldest son ; they had with them one boatman and proceeded out on a fishing excursion to the south-ward. About five o’clock in the evening they were observed by some other boats to be making sail homewards.

As they had been expected last night, and had not arrived this morning, some anxiety was excited amongst their acquaintances; this was increased towards noon, by the arrival of the fisherman from whom they had parted the preceeding afternoon, who also reported having seen something like an empty boat out at sea. Anxiety was now visibly depicted in every countentance; the inhabitants assembled in small groups, conversing on the melancholy subject; most of them had gloomy fears of the sad result, yet hope still lingered with the more immediate connections of the parties, supposing they might be gone to Lytham or Blackpool. With the ebbing tide several boats went out in search of the missing party, and during the whole afternoon, the sand-hills were peopled with an anxious multitude, all directing their gaze across the vast expanse of sand which the far retreating tide had left, and towards that quarter from whence it was expected that intelligence would come. After some hours of solicitude a sail was descried at a distance making its way to shore. All with one accord now rushed forward, expectation was at its height; but too soon the sad certainty was known; they had found the boat a few miles  to the southward, tenantless and unoccupied. The low murmurs of the crowd, the tears of some, the shrieks of others, soon communicated the fatal intelligence, and throughout the village a general consternation was spread; all occupation ceased and everyone seemed absorbed by this melancholy subject. Meantime night came on, and about nine o’clock other boats arrived bringing the lifeless bodies of two of the unfortunate party. As none survive to tell the tale, the particulars cannot be known; but it is supposed by the fishermen here that some sudden gust or eddy of wind, which is not uncommon even in fine weather, had overset the boat. Col. GERARD was the brother and next heir to Sir Wm GERARD of Garswood; He has left a widow and a large family The poor fisherman who accompanied them has also left a widow and eight children”

Another letter dated Sunday last says “On Thursday morning last, John GERARD Esq. of Windle Hall near Prescot, the brother of Sir Wm. GERARD Bart. Had invited a party to join him in his pleasure boat, on a fishing excursion, and they sailed early in the morning.

The party consisted of himself, the Rev Mr CRAYTHORNE, Mr ADAMSON of Ashton in the Willows, his son Roger, and Mr GERARD’s own boatman, John JACKSON. As to the real cause of the melancholy accident it is all surmise, but from the circumstance of the foresheet being at liberty when the boat was found, I should conceive that she must have been caught in a squall, and the boat being kept too much away could not be fluffed up in time, nor could the mainsheet be let go in time to save her from being upset. I lament very much, that it is my painful duty to record the loss of the whole party, and I still more regret, that only two of the unfortunate sufferers are as yet found; Mr ADAMSON Jun. and John JACKSON the boatman who has been interred this day.

The Rev. Mr CRAYTHORNE, one of the unfortunate sufferers was a Roman Catholic clergyman, eminent for his extensive benevolence. His loss will be greatly felt by the poor of the surrounding country, to whom he was in the habit of administering medical aid, gratuitously with extraordinary success

Caryl Williams www.old-liverpool.co.uk Old Liverpool 1998-2008