25 Oct 1837 Distressing Catastrophe - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

25 Oct 1837 Distressing Catastrophe

DISTRESSING CATASTROPHE. - (Further Particulars.) - A most distressing accident
occurred at Maryport on Wednesday last in landing the passengers for that town
from the Newcastle steam-boat, from Liverpool to Carlisle. The party landing
consisted of Miss TOLSON, of the Ropery, near Maryport, eldest daughter of the
late Mr. Thomas TOLSON, of that place; Mr. William FLETCHER, of the firm of
FLETCHER and RYAN, merchants, Liverpool, brother of Mr. David FLETCHER, of
Workington, and cousin of Miss TOLSON, of the Ropery; Miss Sarah TOLSON, of
Workington, cousin of Miss TOLSON, of the Ropery; Miss SIBSON, niece of Miss
TOLSON, and daughter of the late Mr. SIBSON, of Corkickle, near this town; and
Thomas FLETCHER, a youth of 15, second son of the unfortunate Mr. FLETCHER above
named. The party had come from Liverpool, and the sea being rough, Captain
SEWELL, commander of the Newcastle, advised them, we are told, to land at
Whitehaven, where some passengers were put ashore; but Mr. FLETCHER having
himself formerly been engaged in a seafaring life did not apprehend any danger,
and said they would land at Maryport. On arriving opposite that port, the boat
came out as usual, and the party got into it; and Captain SEWELL, still fearful
of danger from the heavy swell in the channel, advised them not to further load
the boat by taking their luggage on board. Captain FLETCHER, however, was still
of opinion that there were no grounds for alarm, and the luggage was stowed in,
which sank the boat to within five inches of the gunwale. Mr. FLETCHER undertook
to steer, and when desiring the boatmen to "pull away" a heavy sea came and
capsized the boat. The consternation and terror of the unfortunate strugglers
amidst the rolling waters may easily be conceived. Miss TOLSON having a heavy
cloak on immediately sank, and no chance for a moment presented itself of saving
her from death. Some of the others seized the oars and the boat, and sustained
themselves on the surface of the deep until boats put off from the shore to
their rescue. One of the boatmen swam on shore. Another of the boatmen gave Mr.
FLETCHER hold of an oar, but it is supposed that he overbalanced himself across
it, for in that position he was found when taken to land. Miss Sarah TOLSON also
unfortunately perished. Signs of animation presented themselves when the
sufferers were brought ashore, and the utmost endeavours were used to relight
the lamp of life, but without success, in the cases of Miss TOLSON, Miss Sarah
TOLSON, and Mr. FLETCHER, whose untimely fate has created a wide-spread feeling
of the deepest melancholy and regret. Miss SIBSON, we are told, was also
inanimate when landed, but the exertions to restore her to life were happily
attended with the wished-for results, and she was saved; as was also the son of
Mr. FLETCHER, mainly by the exertions of a boatman, named COLLINS. Such are the
hasty outlines of a most deplorable accident, which will be long and painfully
remembered at Maryport. Miss TOLSON, of the Ropery, was aged 44; Miss Sarah
TOLSON, 49; Mr. FLETCHER's age was 64. The unhappy sufferers were highly
respectable, and much esteemed in the circle in which they moved for their many
amiable qualities. - Whitehaven Herald.