Exciting Scene of South Shields Sands
A Boat Upset and Narrow Escape
From Loss of Life
A little before eight o'clock last night a boat was upset nearly opposite the bathing machines on the South ShieIds Sands, and but for the gallantry with which several members of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, and a few others perilled their own lives on the chance of saving others, three men would have been drowned. It appears that about the time mentioned three salmon fishermen, named Wm. Templeman, Simon Harrison, and John Burn, were in their boat lying beside their nets at a distance of about 150 yards from the shore. There was good deal of swell on the surface and one sea heavier than usual struck the boat on the quarter and poised it over moment on its crest and then overturning it leaving the occupants struggling in the water. The accident was observed both from the sand and the pier, and a cry for help raised, though there appeared but too much probability that ere effective assistance could given the drowning men would beyond its need Fortunately a number of the members the Volunteer Life Brigade happened to be gathered in the Watch House, and catching at lifebuoys, and belts, and grappling irons, they rushed to the sands. By the time they got there there were only two of the men be seen, and they were clinging to the boat in an almost exhausted state, covered now and again by the seas that rushed over them. They were about 100 yards from the shore, and remembering that the sand was very level for good distance out, some half dozen the brigade, including Wm. Wright, P.C. Clarke, B. Birch, Mr Herdman. Scripture reader on board the Joseph Straker, and Mr M. L Gallon, rushed into the water, dressed as they were, and made as far in they could. More might have followed but for the very significant warning of danger given by the narrow escape of two of the bolder spirits— William Wright and P.C. Clarke—who were twice thrown down by the waves, and narrowly escaped the terrible suction of the back sweep. After that some even of those who had gone in retired, and joined the crowd of bystanders on the shore, who were watching with anxiety, rendered the more intense by their own helplessness, the efforts which were being made. The boat, with the two men holding on to it, washed a little nearer the shore, and the waves receded, several of the party made a rush towards it, and, happily, were just able to secure the men and get firm footing again, ere another wave broke over them. Just as this was done Birch saw the third man floating a little below the surface of the water, and entangled in the net in such a way that could not be got out. The prompt and active use of the knife soon settled that difficulty, and in a few minutes more the three fishermen were in the Brigade House, where stimulants and restorative treatment were once applied with rapid success in the case Harrison and Burn, but Templeman for a long time remained in a doubtful state. Drs Crease and Legat were sent for and were soon in attendance, and under their care Templeman gradually came round, and by ten o'clock was quite recovered. The bravery displayed by those we have mentioned and J, A. Wilson, J. Wilson, A, Hunter, and Mr Davidson, who all rendered great assistance, is deserving of the highest praise, and reflects great credit not only upon themselves, but also upon the brigade to which they belong.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 7 July 1868
Gallant Rescue
On Monday evening, a scene of great excitement was witnessed on South Shields Sands by a crowd of people. A number of salmon boats were off the South Pier at the mouth of the Tyne, employed in fishing. At the time there was a “hashy " sea rolling in upon the coast. About eight o'clock one of the rollers coming in broke and capsized a boat in which were William Templeman, Simon Harrison, and John Burn, and the men were thrown into the sea. They were being knocked about in the waves about 150 yards from the shore, when fortunately a number of the members of the life brigade who happened to be assembled at the watch-house, caught life- buoys and belts and grappling-irons, and rushed to the sands. By the time they got there only two of the men were to be seen, and they were clinging to the boat almost exhausted, covered now and again by the seas that rushed over them. They were about 100 yards from the shore, and remembering that the sand was very level for a good distance out, some half- dozen of the brigade, including W. Wright, P. C. Clarke, B. Birch, Mr. Herdman, Scripture-reader on board the Joseph Straker and Mr. M. L Gallon, ran into the water, dressed as they were, and proceeded as far in as they could. More might have followed but for the very significant warning of danger given by the narrow escape of two of the bolder spirits— William Wright and P. C. Clarke — who were twice thrown down by the waves, and narrowly escaped the suction of the back sweep. After that some even of those who had gone in retired and joined the crowd of bystanders on the shore, who were watching with anxiety, rendered the more intense by their own helplessness, the efforts which were being made. The boat, with the two men holding on to it, washed nearer the shore, and as the waves receded several of the party made a rush towards it, and happily were just able to secure the men and get firm footing again before another wave broke over them. Just as this was done Birch saw the third man floating a little below the surface of the water, and entangled in the net in such a way that he could not be got out. The prompt and active use of the knife soon settled that difficulty, and in a few minutes more the three fishermen were in the brigade- house, where stimulants and restorative treatment were at once applied with rapid success in the case of Harrison and Burn, but Templeman for a long time remained in a doubtful state. Drs. Crease and Legat were sent for and were soon in attendance, and under their care Templeman gradually came round, and by ten o'clock was quite recovered.
Source: Sheffield Independent 10 July 1868