The Whitehaven News September 7, 1905 Gallant Rescue by a Whitehaven Man

Gallant Rescue by a Whitehaven Man

The Whitehaven News - September 7, 1905

GALLANT RESCUE BY A WHITEHAVEN MAN.        On Sunday morning an alarm was given that a woman had jumped from the Liverpool landing stage into the river, and all that could be seen was a shawl floating on the surface of the water. A stiff breeze was blowing, the tide was ebbing fast, and the prospect of a rescue was far from encouraging.        Happening early in the morning there was comparatively little traffic on the stage but those that heard the cry that there was a woman in the river hurried to the spot, and it was an anxious knot of people that saw one of the river police, named SPEDDING dive into the water. He had not waited to throw off any of his clothing, and the tension of the watchers was increased when it was seen that he was in considerable danger.        Twice the tide sucked him under the pontoon, and but for the safeguard furnished by the chains he must have lost his life. He stuck gallantly to his task, and at last succeeded in clutching the drowning woman. He managed to hold her up on spite of the fact that his movements were greatly impeded by one of his arms getting entangled in a broken chain hanging from the stage. Although quite exhausted by this time he clung on to his burden with one  of the guard chains, until a ladder was lowered.        It was at first thought the woman was dead, but, thanks to the attention bestowed upon her at the Receiving House, she was eventually brought round, and when at last she was in a fit state to answer questions, explained that she was Mrs. Emily ROME, of 26, Little Woolton-street, Liverpool, and that she attempted to take her life because of domestic trouble.        Constable SPEDDING is the brother of Captain Wm. SPEDDING, of Whitehaven. ******

 

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