Narrow Escape from Drowning at Soldiers Point. 1890

Plucky Rescue by a Coastguard.

Yesterday evening as Mr. Everall, a Coastguard officer stationed at Soldier’s Point, was engaged cleaning out his boat on the slip adjoining the station, he was approached by two men (Employees of the Harbour Commissioners working at the dredger) who asked him to bring them across to the embankment in order that they might get to their work. The Coastguard replied that he could not do as they asked, and turned again to his work, but in a few minutes, hearing a splashing in the water, he turned and saw one of the men, who was, it is stated, very much under the influence of drink attempting to wade across. The distance from the slip to the embankment is short, but in the centre of the space there is a deep channel through which, when the tide is ebbing, as it was at this time, the water rushes at a tremendous rate. There is at low water a means of communication by planks, but at the time of the occurrence the water was at least 8 or 9 foot deep in the channel. The man who was trying to wade was in a few minutes in deep water, and was apparently unable to make any effective effort to save himself, his head being under water. His companion who it is said was also under the influence of drink stood on the bank looking on helplessly. Mr. Everell seeing the perilous position of the unfortunate man plunged into the water and went to his aid. An exciting struggle ensued. The drowning man, a powerful fellow of some 16 stone weight clung to his rescuer as people in his condition always do, and impeded his efforts so much that it is only by dint of great exertion he succeeded through even the short distance that lay between them and the shallow water – the swiftly ebbing tide adding to the difficulty. When they reached the shore the unfortunate man was in a very bad condition, but by the use of proper remedies was revived. His rescuer was completely used up, and had the distance been greater it is not improbable that he would have had, himself, to receive aid. Mr. Everell deserves every credit for his plucky and manly action. The man undoubtedly owed his life to him and we hope the Royal Humane Society will accord him the well merited honour given to those who save life under such circumstances.

Reference; Dundalk Democrat Saturday 9th.August 1890.

The Recent Rescue at Soldier’s point.

To the Editor of the Dundalk Democrat. Dundalk 13th.August 1890.

Dear Sir, In your issue last Saturday, I have read the account of the alleged rescue from drowning at Soldier’s Point on Friday last and I am bound to observe that it has been altogether exaggerated , now, in the first place the man in question who, it is stated attempted to wade across the river, and was under the influence of drink, is quite untrue for this reason, he asked the Coastguard would he oblige him by leaving him across in the small boat he had convenient, but he at once sternly refused to do so: when the man was compelled to secure a small boat that was moored at anchor a little up to the west or port side of the Coastguard slip, in which he intended to proceed to his destination on the other side. In so doing he was only up to his knees in the water: and his foot happened to get in contact with the anchor that the boat was moored to, when he fell in the water on his hands, and without any delay immediately stood erect, by his own efforts, therefore he could not be drunk at this stage of the proceedings. The astonished Coastguard came over on his ease to see what was up, and just only made some ignorant remark, and the man asked him what took him there, and that he did not require his services. It is false to state that he went under water, or that he got remedies or restoratives. So the remedies alluded to were not required, as the man did not taste or smell sea water, and the Coastguard simply wishes for recognition on his own self praise and representations. Please be sure to publish this letter this week. Yours truly, John Norton.



[ We are happy to hear (assuming that our correspondent speaks with authority) that the affair was less serious than was represented to us. We are all the more so, as he implies that the allegation of drunkenness on the part of the person alleged to have been rescued, was unfounded. ED. D.D.]

Reference; Dundalk Democrat Saturday 16th.August 1890