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Many thanks, once again, to Gloria for her help in obtaining and transcribing this article.
The Burnley Gazette, Wednesday, September 5th 1894
Awful Calamity at Morecambe Bay
A Yacht Capsized
Twelve Burnley Excursionists Drowned
Narrow Escape of Survivors
Grief-Stricken Homes in Burnley
The year's annual September holidays at Burnley will long be remembered as having brought in their ???? of the saddest and most awful calamities with which the history of the town has ever been associated. As usual, the brief autumn holiday, which commenced on Friday evening, and terminated on the following Monday evening, has been extensively taken advantage by the working people of the town to seek the benefits of a change of air and scene. Last Friday night, and again, on Saturday morning, there was a great exodus of Burnley people to different places of popular resort. The growingly popular watering place, Morecambe Bay, received quite its usual share of patronage from Burnley excursionists, large numbers booking to this town on Saturday morning. And here it was that the dreadful boating calamity, which it is our painful duty to have to chronicle, took place, resulting in the loss of ???? great number of lives, in???? unhappily no less than 12 Burnley people, while some half-dozen others had narrow escapes. The sorrow and distress thus occasioned in a number of Burnley homes is almost unprocedented. In several cases the persons who have lost their lives have been the only or main support of a numerous family, and grief at the mishap has been added to a feeling of despair as to their future, in the minds of those who are now bereft of their mainstay. The annual holiday at Ramsbottom and Skipton also commenced last weekend, and
large numbers of excursionists were ???? at Morecambe from these towns, indeed the three towns of Burnley, Skipton and Ramsbottom have finished nearly.
THE WHOLE OF THE VICTIMS
In what has turned out to be probably the most dreadful disaster witnessed at Morecambe, It appears that on Monday morning, about 10 o'clock, ???? ???? by the delightful weather many visitors determined to enjoy the pleasure of a sail to Grange. In ???? boats which left the landing stage about half-past ten in the morning was one to charge of William Houghton, a steady, experienced man who is said to be a total abstainer. The boat load was made up of several groups unknown to each other, and numbered in all about 30 men, women and children. The yacht, which was one of the largest pleasure boats in the bay, was filled to its gross capacity. All went well until within two miles of Silverdale, a small watering place on the opposite side of the bay. The tide was then on its low ebb but there not being sufficient water to cross the sandbanks the yacht was driven steadily up the channel. The whole party were in high spirits and thoroughly enjoying the sail. when nearing the estuary of the small river Wear, which here enters the bay, about six miles from morecambe, the water, as described by one of the party, was rather choppy, owing probably to the rapidly running tidal current meeting the fresh water from the river. Suddenly, without the slightest warning, the boat turned over, and the unfortunate occupants were
STRUGGLING FOR LIFE
in the water. Within a comparatively short distance was another yacht, in charge of Edward Gardner junr., the occupants of which were horrified to witness the almost instantaneous disappearance of Houghton's yacht. With great presence of mind Gardner first devoted his attention to preventing a oanic among his own passengers and then made his way with his own boat towards the struggling people. Willing hands were held out on all sides to grasp those in the water, and by the direction of Gardner an attempt was at first made tp drag them into the boat, the rescuers contenting themselves with keeping the immersed afloat until as many as possible had been secured and there was no apparent chance of saving further life By that time seven persons, three men, two women and two children had been rescued. A second boat, in charge of Richard Gardner, senr., was also about a quarter of a mile distant, but, running with the current, it was speedily on the scene of the disaster, and rescued Houghton alive and the body of a female passenger, who turned out to be Miss Walker of Burnley. After cruising about until it was evident
NO FURTHER AID
could be rendered the boats returned to Morecambe where they arrived about half-past one ???? bringing the first tidings of the disaster. The earliest intimation of anything wrong was the carrying ashore from the landing stage opposite the Peoples Palace of the apparently lifeless form of Miss Walker, conveyed to the Bath Hotel, and followed almost immediately by a boy and a girl both partially conscious and both hailing from Burnley. Messengers were now despatched in all directions for medical assistance and in the meantime vigorous measures were taken to restore annimation in the case of the young woman. It was nearly three hours before she was sufficiently recovered to be considered out of danger. Another female was meanwhile taken to the baths connected with the People's Palace, and after two hours exertion she showed signs of recovery and ultimately gave her name as Mrs. Brooks of Ramsbottom.
The bodies of a man and woman were carried on the police ambulance to the dressing room used by the local football club behind the King's Arms Hotel, and were soon afterwards followed by those of the men picked up in a third boat. The
UTMOST EXCITEMENT
now prevailed, the promenade being quickly thronged by anxious crownds of visitors, in many cases full of painful uncertainty as to the where-abouts of relatives or friends. On the landing of Houghton and his companions the extent of the disaster was steadily realised, and a deep gloom over spread the whole of the town. Inspector Hodgson and his staff were indefatigable endeavouring to ascertain the number missing and the names of the saved, and the identity of the dead. This was a work of considerable difficulty and delay owing to the rescued persons having been conveyed in most cases to the places where they were staying. The survivors were ultimately found to be in addition to boatman Houghton, a young man named James Boothman, of Hull-street Burnley and Mrs. Clegg, of Belvedere-road, Burnley holidaying with Mrs. Waddington, in Victoria-street latter is in a serious condition ???? exhaustion from immersion. There were ???? from this house Mrs. Clegg's husband and child, and Miss Alice Walker, of Queensberry-road, Burnley the sweetheart of the young man Boothman. Miss Walker, however, eventually proved to be ???? ???? with the young woman at the Bath House from Mrs. Webster's, in Edward-street ???? are said to have set out in the
ILL-FATED BOAT
???? Mrs. Hargreaves, Mrs. Whitehead, the ???? baby and a son, 17 years of age; Mrs. Whitehead's unmarried sister, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and daughter Florence, all from Byerden-lane Burnley. Of these, only Mr. Robinson was amongst the rescued. He rushed about almost dis???? in search of tidings of his wife and daughter. another daughter had declined to go in the boat and was consequently spared. Mr. Wm Milner of Skipton, who arrived by day excursion in that morning and accompanied Mr. Jonas Webster and party on the ill fated excursion, was among the rescued. He identified one of the bodies as that of Mr. Webster, whose daughter and grand-daughter were among the missing. The children at the Bath Hotel soon came round, and stated that their names were Brierley. They are the children of Mr. William Brierley, manufacter, Burnley. Their father was also in the boat, and he has been drowned. The mother and two remaining children did not accompany the party on their visit to Morecambe. Three of the bodies recovered were identified as follows:-Jonas Webster, mechanic, Skipton, aged about 50; Samuel Brooks, Holcombe, Ramsbottom, aged 55 , and a sister-in-law of Brooks, Oh the disaster.
BECOMING KNOWN
Mr. John Lee, chairman of the Morecambe Local Board despatched a small steamer with several boats in tow to the scene of the disaster, with the view to recovery of as many bodies as had been left by the receding tide. Search parties also set out across the sands, and news was in the evening received that eight additional bodies had been picked up and were being conveyed to Morecambe. Owing to the state of the tide, however, it would probably be midnight before they reached Morecambe. They were those of five males, two females and one child.
Yesterday morning, the work of rescuing and identifying the bodies of the drowned persons was proceeded with, large numbers of people assembling in the vicinity of the temporary mortuary.
CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
Another account states that the accident occurred as the boatman was about to loose the main sail in order to let the yacht go easily, while he collected his fares. No sooner had he attempted to loose the main sail than a gust of wind suddenly struck the boat, with the result that she capsized, and everyone on board was thrown into the water almost without a moment's warning. So sudden was the disaster that the passengers had scarcely a second to cry for help. The entire party, boatman included, were left to struggle for their lives. Fortunately, just as the calamity occurred, there were several other pleasure boats in the surrounding water, and these at once rushed to the aid of Matchless, and eventually succeeded in rescuing 12 of the party, all of whom were brought to Morecambe, but four of these were dead when got out of the water.
A DANGEROUS PLACE
A Barrow correspondent says:- The place where the boat capsized is regarded as very dangerous by boatmen, the channel having shifted considerably this summer owing to the heavy floods down the rivers. An old wall has been exposed which was part of a scheme started with the idea of reclaiming a large part of the bay, but the scheme was abandoned.
THE DROWNED
The following is a list of the drowned persons:-
William Brierley, manufacturer, Briercliffe, Burnley.
Mrs Whitehead, 81, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Richard Whitehead, 81, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Fred Whitehead, aged 14 months, 81, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Miss Ann Ingham, sister of Mrs Whitehead, 81, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Mrs. Sarah Robinson, 77, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Florence Robinson, daughter of the above, 77, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Mrs. Sarah Hargreaves, 79, Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Mr. Edward Clegg, 100, Belvedere-road, Burnley.
Arthur Clegg, three years old, son of the above, 100 Belvedere-road,
Burnley.
John Parkinson, 5, Eastham-street, Todmorden-road, Burnley.
Mrs. Alice Greenwood, widow (sister of above), 26, Eastham-street, Burnley.
Wright Shepherd, Prospect Hill, Turton.
John Heaton, Gorton, near Manchester.
Samuel Brooks, Taper, aged 55, Holcombe, Ramsbottom.
James Webster, mechanic, Newton, Skipton.
Mrs. Ann Williams, Stubbins-lane, Ramsbottom.
Joseph Carter, 55, journalist, Lupton-street,Bradford.
Doris Carter, infant daughter of last named.
LIST OF THE RESCUED
The greatest difficulty is being experienced in ascertaining those among the party who escaped. It is not known exactly how many were in the boat, estimates ranging from 26 to "over 30". The following is a provisional list as complete as present enquiries allow:-
Mr. Robinson, 77 Byerden-lane, Burnley.
Mrs. Clegg, Belvedere-road, Burnley.
Mr. James Boothman, Hall-street, Burnley.
Miss Elizabeth Walker, Queensbery-road, Burnley.
Nellie and Ben Brierley, children of Mr. Brierley of Harle Syke, Burnley who was drowned.
Mr. William Milner, Skipton.
Mrs. Robinson, Ramsbottom.
Mr. Samuel Houghton, owner of the boat.
THE MISSING
It has been ascertained that the following persons were occupants in the ill-fated boat and no tidings have been received of them:-
A daughter and granddaughter of Jonas Webster, of Skipton.
Mr. Monks, Bolton.
Mr. Heaton, Bolton.
Miss Heaton, Bolton.
A daughter of Mrs. Robinson's is said to have been afraid of the water and did not go for the sail, and to this fact she doubtless owes her life.
Mr. Monks, Mr. Heaton, and Mr. Shepherd are the husbands of three sisters.
THE INQUEST
The inquest was opened at 9:30 at the King's Arms Hotel, on the Promenade, the bodies with regard to which the inquiry was made being those of Samuel Brooks, Joseph Carter, and Ann Williams. Mr. L. Holden, coroner for the Lancaster district, conducted the inquiry. Supr???? Hodgson was present. The following gentlemen constituted the jury:-John Lee(foreman), William Clarke, John Bland, J. Willis, A. Storey, John Brown, William Moorhouse, J. Fenton, J.P. McNair, Jos. Howes, A. Walker, T.H. Ashworth, E. Turner, junr., and J.N. Imbrie. The inquest took place in the large dining room of the hotel, and was attended by a considerable number of press representatives.
In opening the inquiry the coroner said:- Gentlemen,- I am sure you must shrink from the contemplation of so great a calamity as that which took place here yesterday, when a large party in pursuit of health and pleasure went out in a boat, and though the wind and tide were favourable, the boat upset, and a large number of people, exactly how many is not known, were thrown into the sea, plunging their families and relatives into the direst distress. I only propose to call evidence of identification, leaving the question of the foundering of the boat or any question that may arise as to negligence, if there was any, to a later period. It is desirable that the bodies should be identified and taken to their relatives without any delay.
Joseph Hamer, carter, Ramsbottom, said:- I knew Samuel Brooks, who was my uncle, and was about 54 years of age. He was a warper. I last saw him alive on Friday night, and that was at Ramsbottom. He was then quite well. He had a wife, but no children. I know Ann Williams, who was a widow, her husband having been a tailor. She was my aunt. I last saw her alive at Ramsbottom on Thursday. She has left two children.
Stuart Whatcough, wool buyer, Bradford, deposed that one of the bodies, that of his cousin, Joseph Fawcett Carter, about 24 years of age, was a reporter on the Bradford Observer. Witness last saw him alive about seven o'clock on Sunday evening, on the promenade at Morecambe, when he was in good health. He was a married man, with one child.
The jury, having been resworn evidence of identification with regard to the bodies of Wright Shepherd, John Heaton, and John Carter was given. The last witness was recalled, and identified the body of the child as Doris Carter, daughter of Joseph Fawcett Carter.
John Heaton, blacksmith, Gorton near Manchester, identified the bodies of Wright Shepherd, 55, bleacher and finisher, Prospect Hill ???ton and also John Heaton, 51, striker, Gorton, the latter being his father. He last saw him alive last Sunday week.
The jury were again resworn and evidence taken with regard to Edmund Clegg, and John Parkinson.
John Clegg, weaver, 100 Belvedere-road, Burnley identified the body of his father, Edmund Clegg, tackler, aged 50 years. He last saw him alive on Friday night at his home previous to leaving for Morecambe. He also identified another body as that of John Parkinson, 36, tackler, who resided next door to his (Clegg's) father.
The inquiry was then adjourned until this morning at half-past nine. Further evidence of identification will be given.
Alice Greenwood, weaver, 36, Padiham-street, Burnley; William Brierley, cotton manufacturer, 1, Queen-street, Briercliffe near Burnley, have also been identified.
RECEIPT OF THE NEWS IN BURNLEY
The calamity is the most disastrous that has occurred to Burnley since the Helmshore railway crash, about 30 years since, and the death roll at Morecambe is even greater than on that occasion. Burnley was, on the receipt of the sad tidings on Monday night, thrown into a state of intense anxiety. Morecambe has always been one of the most favourite resorts for the Burnley excursionists. Since the holidays commenced on Friday night, though most of the excursionists have gone to Blackpool, some 400 or 500 persons booked to Morecambe. Large crowds of persons waited anxiously for the latest news on Monday night, and discussed the possible circumstances of the disaster. At the post office a large number of telegrams were received from the Morecambe visitors of the disaster and the safety of the senders. The disaster was the chief topic of conversation at Burnley yesterday. Mr. Walker, of 50, Queensberry-road, stated "My daughter's name is Elizabeth, and not Alice, and I am very thankful to hear of her safety. She went away on Saturday with her sweetheart, Mr. Boothman, to Morecambe. She is 25 years of age, and a very plucky girl. We have heard that she got on to the back of the boatman, Houghton, and was saved in that way." The Chief Constable of Morecambe has been in communication with the Chief Constable of Burnley with respect to the identification of certain bodies which have been recovered. The church bells of Burnley tolled yesterday morning, the blinds were drawn at a large number of houses, and altogether the calamity is keenly felt in several parts of the town - Reedley Hallows district having suffered the most.
LONDON OPINION OF THE CALAMITY
The "Daily Chronicle" is afraid that the blame for this terrible accident cannot be laid to the visitation of the winds. "The boatman may have only been doing what every other boatman does, but the Skehness disaster should surely have provided a danger signal, for this summer at least, sufficient to deter thise Morecambe boatman from leaving his control over the sails for a single instant. Fishermen who turn their boats into pleasure crafts have no right to forget the various consequences that may result from a heavy lurch when the boat is crowded. It is necessary to speak out. Thousands of people will be enjoying themselves to-day, and every day for weeks to come in the same way as those poor Burnley excursionists. Under no circumstances should they put to sea in a boat that is full enough without them. And once afloat they should insist that some one remains to handle the ropes throughout the trip. We are no believers in putting passengers in command of vessels, but experience has shown that in the height of the holiday season the love of pelf may lead capable boatmen to encounter risks which ought not to be undertaken. There is nothing for it, therefore, but for trippers to use their own common sense and satisfy themselves that the simplest precautions for safety are adopted.
A DISTRESSING CASE
One of the most distressing cases in connection with the disaster is the loss of Mr. Heaton of Gorton, near Manchester, Mr. Monks, of Bolton, and Mr. Shepherd, of London. They were married to three sisters, and with their wives and families were spending their holidays at Morecambe. On Monday morning they left their lodgings with Mr. Heaton's daughter, aged 14, to proceed to Grange, but not returning at the appointed time, fears were felt on their behalf. These were confirmed by the finding of the body of a gentleman, who has been identified as Mr. Monks, and doubtless the whole party perished. Several of the bodies were found high and dry on the sandbanks. On being taken to the temporary mortuary, three were identified as being the remains of Mr. William Brierley, manufacturer, Briercliffe, near Burnley, whose two children are among the rescued; Richard Whitehead, 81, Byeren-lane, burnley, and his aunt, Ann Ingham, of the same address.
WITH THE BEREAVED AT BURNLEY
INTERVIEWS WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE DECEASED PERSONS
HEARTRENDING SCENES
A representative of the Gazette yesterday called upon the families of most of the bereaved persons in Burnley. In every case he found the most terrible and heartrending distress prevailing, and in some cases the circumstances of those who are left behind give only to much ground for distress and even despair. At the house of Mr. John Parkinson, 5 Eastham-street, Todmorden-road, Mrs. Parkinson was prostrated with grief and surrounded by a number of relatives and neighbours she refused to believe the tidings that had been brought to her that morning of her husband's death, and every knock that came to the door caused her to exclaim in sobbing tones, "Is it John, is it John." She refused all food, and persisted in the belief that her husband would yet return, a belief doomed to a sad disappointment. There was great reason for her distress, as apart from the natural affection she evidently bore her husband she was left with five young children, four of whom are boys, the eldest being only twelve years of age, ane the youngest being an infant girl, six months old. Mr. Parkinson appears to have been a most respectable and respected man. He was 36 years of age and was a tackler at Messrs. Whitehead and Leavers', Burnley, where he has been for some years. formerly he was employed in a similar capacity at Olive Mount Mill, and on leaving that place he was presented with a testimonial by the operatives as a mark of their esteem and respect. He was a life teatotaller, and has latterly become connected with the Socialists. Information was only conveyed of his death by telegram, yesterday morning, when his dead body was found. Up to this time his wife had been looking for his return. As showing how strong the feeling had taken possession of the poor womans mind that her husband would yet return, it may be mentioned that yesterday afternoon one of the women in the room asked her what her husband's age was, and she replied to the question by saying "Oh, he'll be back soon, and he'll tell you himself."
A PITIFUL CASE.
TWO DEATHS AND NINE PENNILESS CHILDREN
On the opposite of Eastham-street to where Mr. Parkinson resided, at No.26, lived Mrs. Alice Greenwood, a widow, along with her aged mother and her four young fatherless children, whom she herself supported by working in the mill. She was brother to Mr. Parkinson, and two years older than him. Her husband died some three years ago, since when her brother, Mr. Greenwood, has always manifested a lively and truly brotherly interest in her concern. Indeed the brother and sister have always been the very greatest of friends, and none manifested keener distress than he when his sister was bereft of her husband.. She and her brother went together to Morecambe on Saturday morning, intending to return to Burnley on Monday night. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Clegg and their young son of Belvedere-road, so that there was a party altogether of five, of whom, alas only one now remains alive. Mrs. Greenwood, it appears, had not been in the best of health of late, and it was thought a trip to the seaside would do her good. During last week she expressed a preference for Blackpool over Morecambe, but her brother persuaded her that there would be a less crowd at Morecambe than Blackpool, and they decided to visit the former place. She, along with her brother and the Cleggs, was in the ill-fated boat, on Monday morning and along with her brother she shared a terrible death. It is thought that her brother, who could swim a little, must have been trying to rescue his sister and thus lost his own life. The eldest of Mrs. Greenwood's children is a boy of 12 years, and he was just about to enter the mill to work half-time along with his mother. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Parkinson, the mother of Mrs. Greenwood, and Mr. Parkinson, who has thus suddenly been bereft of two of her children, and has the additional sorrow of witnessing their respective offspring left orphans and unprovided for. As she weepingly informed our representative, yesterday, it was more for the children's sake that she was grieved, all of them being so young and helpless, and the feeling was irresistibly borne in upon one that this was indeed a grevous case. Mrs. Greenwood, our representative learned, had worked very hard to maintain her children and keep the house going, and the healthy looks of the children and the cleanliness and neatness of the house bore evidence of the care and attention they received from Mrs. Greenwood and her mother. Indeed as our representative stepped in at the door, he found old Mrs. Parkinson engaged industriously though quietly dusting the furniture, but the trouble at her heart was soon made painfully evident when he entered into conversation with her.
FATHER AND SON DROWNED
The house of Mr. Edward Clegg, overlooker, 100 Belvedere-road, Burnley, was a house of mounring yesterday. Mr. Clegg (aged about 50 years) together with his wife and young son, Arthur Clegg, aged about 3 years, left Burnley for Morecambe on Saturday monring, intending to stop until Monday night. Two of the party, however, the father and young son, were fated never to return home again alive, and Mrs. Clegg is now lying at Morecambe in a very bad state. She had been in weakly health for some time, having suffered from a bad breast. It is hoped, however, that she will recover and be able before long to return home. The three persons were amongst the party who went out for a sail on Monday morning, and the father and son were drowned, while the mother was rescued, though in a very exhausted condition. On Monday afternoon a telegram was received at the house in Belvedere-road requesting the eldest daughter, Hannah, to go over to Morecambe. She was not in at the time, and when she returned it was too late to go that night, but she went
early yesterday morning, along with her eldest brother, and the latter sent a telegram soon after their arrival notifying the melancholy news of the finding of the dead body of the father but not of the little boy, while the mother was said to be improving. The mother was especially fond of this young son, and it was a terrible distress to her that his body had not, up to yesterday afternoon, been discovered. The other members of the family are all grown up and working.
SEVEN DEATHS FROM ONE STREET
A TERRIBLE DEVASTATION
Byerden-lane, in the St-Andrew's district, Burnley, seems to have suffered greatest in the number of deaths from Monday's calamity. Mrs. Sarah Robinson, aged 45 years, of 77 Byerden-lane accompanied by her husband, Benjamin Robinson, a spinner, and their two daughters, Florrie Robinson, aged 15 years and Margaret Ann Robinson, aged 13 years, went to Morecambe on Saturday morning intending to come back to-day. Three of the party went on the ill-fated boat on Monday morning, the fourth member of the family, Margaret Ann refusing to go as she did not like sailing. In the subsequent catastophe which took place, Mrs. Robinson, and her daughter, Florrie, were drowned, while Mr. Robinson was rescued. They had altogether eight of a family, the eldest, a soldier, being away from home. On Monday night the eldest daughter, Ellen Robinson, received a telegram to the following effect:- "Do not be anxious. Hope for Florrie and mother. Margaret Anna and father are safe." Unfortunately, the hope that was expressed for "Florrie and mother" proved to be illfounded as nothing but the finding of dead bodies can now be looked for. The father, after being rescued, on learning that his wife and child were missing became almost distracted and rushed out into the streets of Morecambe in a vain endeavour to render them assistance. He could swim a little and that possibly had something to do with his escaping a watery grave. Up to yesterday afternoon the bodies of the mother and child had not been found. Mr. Robinsons now lies at Morecambe in a somewhat precarious condition, and yesterday his brother, Mr. John Robinson, of Burnley, was telegraphed for, and this circumstance gaves rise to grave apprehensions in the moods(?) of Mr. Robinson's relatives.
The house No. 81, Byerden-lane, claims no less than four of the victims in Monday's calamity, Miss ann Ingham, single woman along with her sister, Mrs. Whitehead and Mrs. Whitehead's two sons, Richard aged 17 years and a baby 14 months old named Fred, went to Morecambe on Saturday with the Robinsons and an old woman names Mrs. Hargreaves residing also in Byerden-lane. Miss Ingham was somewhat older than her married sister. All the four trippers were in the boat that capsized on Monday, and they were all drowned. The bodies of richard Whitehead and Ann Ingham only had been found up to yesterday, at 12 o'clock, the other two being missing. Mrs. Whitehead had four other children besides the two who went with her to Morecambe, and these she left at home in charge of her husband, Mr. Daniel whitehead, who was at Morecambe in the July holidays. Richard Whitehead was the eldest child, all of whom are boys. Ann Ingham was a rover at Birley's mill, Byerden-lane, and at this mill also Mr. Whitehead is engaged as a spinner. Two of the children are working, one half-time and the pther full-time. John Ingham, who was ???? disconsolate at 81 Byerden-lane, said: "I am 70 years of age. There are four who have gone down out of this house-Mrs. Whitehead and her baby, 14 months old; Ann Ingham, sister of Mrs. Whitehead; and Richard Thomas Ingham, son of mrs. Whitehead. They all left on Saturday, and said they liked Morecambe. They went there every year. I am the father of Sarah Whitehead and Ann Ingham, and grandfather of Richard Thomas Whitehead.
Mrs Sarah Hargreaves was the other resident in Byerden-lane, who met with her death on Monday. She was the wife of Henry Hargreaves, who is a roller coverer, employed at Mr. Atkin's mill, Barrowford, and she went with the other two families on the street to Morecambe on Saturday morning. She took a ten day's ticket, as she has not been well of late, and it was thought a change would do her good. Mrs. Hargreaves is almost 60 years of age. Yesterday morning her husband and Mr. Daniel Whitehead received telegrams summoning them to Morecambe, but the two men had already gone before the telegrams arrived. Mrs. Hargreaves leaves two elderly sons, one of whom is married while the other resides with his parents. It will thus be seen that out of a party of nine who left Byerden-lane for Morecambe, on Saturday, only two now remain alive.
A BRIERCLIFFE VICTIM
One of the victims was Mr. William Brierley, manufacturer, of Harle Syke,
Briercliffe, near Burnley. He, along with his two daughters, Nellie Brierley, aged ten years, and her sister, aged seven years, were staying at Morecambe, and went out for a sail in Houghton's boat. Mr. Brierley was
drowned when the boat upset, but his two daughters were rescued, though in an exhausted condition. They are now said to be recovering nicely.
WITH THE RESCUED
Much concern was manifested by the relatives and friends of Miss Lizzie Walker who resides with her parents at 50, Queensbury-road, when it became known that hse and her sweetheart, Mr. James Boothman, of 28, Hull-street, Burnley, were amongst the occupants of the boat. on Monday night a telegram was received by Miss Walker's parents, to the following effect:- "Will not be home to-night. Been upset in boat - Lizzie." The member sof the family were naturally concerned at this news. Yesterday monring, Miss Walker's father telegraphed to see if she was coming home that day. He waited for some time and on getting no reply he and his wife set out for Morecambe. An hour after they had left the reply came as follows:-"Not fit to travel. You had better come." Miss Walker is the oldest of a family of eleven children, and our representative yesterday afternoon found her sister, Miss Maggie Walker, awaiting with great anxiety the receipt of further news as to her sister's condition. Whilst he was there a telegram arrived from Morecambe, and Miss Walker became so nervous at sight of the telegram, fearing as she did that it might contain bad news, that she could hardly muster sufficient courage to open it, and she was gratified and deeply relieved to read the following words sent by her father:- "Lizzie doing well," It might therefore be expected that in due course Miss Walker will be sufficiently recovered to return to Burnley.
Mr. Boothman, Miss Walker's sweetheart, did not return to Burnley yesterday, it being assumed that he was remaining at Morecambe for the adjourned inquest this morning. He telegraphed to his parents in Hull-street that all was right with him, and his parents went to bed on Monday night satisfied. They were however aroused later on by a member of the Walker family who had gone to see if any news had been received about Miss Walker. Yesterday morning a further telegram was received as Boothman's to the following effect:-"All right, not coming home just yet." Mr. Boothman is a member of the Swimming Club at Burnley, and his expertness as a swimmer doubtless had a great deal to do with his rescue. Mr. Carey Nutter, of Hurtley-street, Burnley, was one of the crew of the hapless boat. He is fortunately a very capable swimmer and was able to save himself without assistance.
NARRATIVE OF SURVIVORS
Mr. James Boothman, spinner, Burnley, gives the following account of the affair:- "Seven of us left home, with Miss Walker and myself, about 10 o'clock in the morning to have a sail. We set off, and it was nice sailing, the sea was calm. A sudden gust of wind came, taking my hat off, and the boat tilted up. Everybody rushed to the other side and that seemed to help it over. The boat turned on its side and then sunk, and we were all struggling in the water. I was about the last to get into the water. I struck out when I got in and was swimming about. I missed one boat and turned round and saw another one coming. A rope was hanging behind and I hung to it and they pulled me in. The boatman was taken in first, then me, then Mrs. Clegg, then a dead woman.
Mr. Robinson, of Burnley, states: We started at about 10 past 10 as near as I can say, from the Princess Landing Stage. There were about 26 or 28 of us in the boat. They were all singing, and I was in the front up to the mast. It all came at once. he bost turned over, and we were clinging to the higher part. My missus said 'Oh! Ben!' and my daughter said 'Oh! Father!' I got hold of the side of the boat, and a man got hold of me behind. Then the boat turned right over and it threw me into the water, I was struggling in the water and a boat came up, and I heard a man say 'Keep calm,' and somebody hung out a walking stick, and I collared it just as I was sinking, and I was pulled into the boat. It was with that stick we were all saved."
Houghton, the owner of the pleasure yacht, says:-"The accident occurred about 12 o'clock. I was going to slacken the main sheet and let the boat go easily up the channel while I collected my fares. I had not slackened the sail, but was about to do so when a 'bluff' came and heeled the boat right over. As near as I can tell there were 30 men, women, and children with me."
Mr. W. Milner, of Skipton, in his account of the calamity, says:-"We arrived here from Skipton by excursion this morning. Shortly after our arrival we went for a sail in the yacht. Up to the time of the accident we had as nice a sail as one could wish. No one expected that there was the least bit of danger - in fact at the time the calamity occurred the party in the fore part of the boat were singing hymns. All of a sudden the boat turned over without the slightest warning. There was no shrieking: nothing but the cry, 'We are going! We are going!' I think there were 27 or 28 on the boat. There was no panic. The only thing noticeable was that some passengers threw their weight upon the higher part of the boat in order to prevent it, if possible, from going further, but without avail. At the place where the disaster occurred the sea was 'choppy', owing to the wind and current being in contrary directions."
A RESCUER'S NARRATIVE
Mr. Levi Atack, 2, Carr-street, Burnley, yesterday, gave the following account, I went down to the beach for the purpose of having a sail. Three or four boats were at the landing stage. There were four for Grange, including Houghton's boat, which was filling faster than the others, and, thinking it would be out sooner, I intended to get on. But, somehow or other our party from Burnley came down, and I joined the party with one of the other boats. When we got a long way out towards Grange-we had a long way round to go, the tide being low-we kept passing and repassing one another. a???? ?itting beside me observed that Hought?? ???? had capsized, and exclaimed to the man who was steering the boat, "What's up?" The steersman said "I don't know; I'm turning round. Keep cool: everybody keep their seats." He kept on saying "Keep cool." He steered forward towards where there were some persons floating. I picked up a woman's hat and a little further another person was floating - a bog man; I believe his name was Webster-a Skipton man. We pulled him into the boat. We then got to another person and pulled him in, rubbed them and rolled them about. They were both dead, but warm. There was a lot of hubbub among our party whether to go forward to Grange or return to Morecambe. Some wanted to land and said, "We won't come back by the boat." The steersman went towards another boat, which had rescued Houghton and other two persons alive. The man who was sterring the other rescue boat said, "We're going back to Morecambe," and the steersman said he would leave it to the pasengers, and they all agreed to turn back. I saw several bodies floating about, but they disappeared by the time we had got those two in. As the time of the accident we were about 50 yards off, and very close to a sandbank. I never heard any screams. I saw perhaps ten persons in the water floating. These we got out were floating, and the steersman said he had never known dead people to float on the water before. With children, there were 36 in our boat, but I don't think there were as many in the other. None of us saw the boat go over; it was done in a giffy. The man who said "What's up" ???? afterwards said "I saw a sail on the water." All was going on pleasantly, and the sea as nice and calm as it could be. There were no ropes thrown out, and there seemed to be no signalling from one boat to another. One boat which was yards away went off as if they had seen nothing, and our steersman shouted out "Jack" to the other steersman, who had got too far away to hear. The steamers passed by directly afterwards, and they did not seem to be informed that anything had occurred.
PRAISEWORTHY AID FOR A BURNLEY SURVIVOR
On Monday, when Miss Walker, of Burnley, was brought to land, messengers were despatched in all directions for medical aid, and in the meantime, measures were adopted to restore animation. The efforts of Police-constable Johnson, Cab Inspector Lamb, and a fisherman named Adam Woodhouse, were persevered in for three hours without intermission and with ultimate success. Dr. Renton attributes her recovery to the praiseworthy exertions of these men. Another elderly female was in the meantime taken to the People's Palace, where the exertions of Miss Alice Webb, professional swimmer, and the attnedants, were also successful in restoring life, after two hours. On being removed to the Pier hotel, the lady gave the name of Brooks, a resident of Ramsbottom.
LATEST PARTICULARS
(FROM OUR mORECAMBE CORRESPONDENT)
It has now been definitely ascertained that there were at least 30 passengers (including children) on the unfortunate yacht. Up to last evening 16 bodies had been recovered. Four adults and two children were missing, and nine persons had been saved, and 18 of the passengers were from Burnley, of whom 12 have been drowned, and only six saved. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Robinson and their daughter Florence, of Byerden-lane were in the boat and Mr. Robinson is the only survivor. A younger daughter was also staying at Morecambe but would not go a sail with the other members of the family, Mr. Mrs. and Master Clegg of 100 Belvedere-road were another unfortunate family, the only survivor being Mrs. Clegg. The body of Mr. Clegg has been recovered but that if the child is still missing. Mr. Richard Whitehead, Mrs. Whitehead and baby of Byerden-lane are all drowned, and the bodies of the last two have not yet been found. Mr. Wm. Brierley, manufacturer, Briercliffe, and his two children were also on the boat, the boy and girl were saved but the father was drowned. The other persons from Burnley who were drowned are Miss Ann Ingham, 81 Byerden-lane, John Parkinson and Mrs. Greenwood (brother and sister), and Mrs. Sarah Hargreaves, Byerden-lane, and the remaining survivors are James Boothman, 28 , Hull-street, and Miss A Walker, of 50 Queensbury-road. The last named narrowly escaped with her life, and thought improving is still very weak. It was only after three hours continual working as restoring animation that she showed any signs of life. The Morecambe fishermen are still ???? engaged in searching for the bodies of the remaining persons.
PROPOSED RELIEF FUND
As the monthly meeting of the Burnley Co-operative Society, last night, a vote of concolences was passed with the relatives of the victims in the calamity at Morecambe, and it was left with the Board to consider the question of a relief fund.
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