DEATH – Drowning SMITH. George, Singular Case of

Accreditation Redcar and Saltburn News 13/01/1875

COATHAM SINGULAR CASE OF DROWNING

     On 13th, January, 1875, between three and four o’clock, a man named George Smith, in the employ of Mr John Cowl, cab proprietor, was drown at Redcar under the following singular circumstances:-  Deceased had been engaged in taking home some of the company from the private ball held the previous evening at the Coatham Victoria Hotel, and accompanied by Thomas Brown, another of Mr Cowl’s men, went down to the sea for the purpose of washing the horse’s legs. Brown had one horse, which he rode, and deceased had two horses in charge, one of which he rode, and the other led. When Brown had washed his horse he called to the deceased, “You had better come on,” and deceased replied, “I will have my horses well washed.” Brown then went back to the stables, and after some time had elapsed, and deceased had not returned, in company with a helper in the stables and one of the coastguard men, he went to seek for him. The morning was very foggy. They had not proceeded far, when they found a horse on the Esplanade, which turned out to be one of the horses deceased had had in charge. They could not, however, find any trace either of deceased or the other horse. The most extraordinary part of the affair is, that while John Stephenson and Sons, fishermen, were out in their boat, about half past four o’clock, they observed what they took to be a large piece of wood floating in the water about a hundred yards north west of Redcar pier. On rowing to the spot, it was found to be a horse, which they took in tow and brought to land. The animal was apparently none the worse for its lengthened immersion, but no trace of its rider could be discovered. Boats were sent out by Mr Cowl to search for the deceased’s body, but without success until half past three o’clock this (Thursday) morning, when it was found by Thomas Picknett, fisherman, about a hundred yards west of Coatham pier, at low water mark. Deceased was married, but had no family, and the body was taken to his late residence, in Moore Street. The coroner has been communicated with, and the inquest will most likely he held tomorrow (Friday).

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dean July 30, 2011 Doctors & Health