Bathing accident at Blyth 1914

[Preshous]

Hi All
I have just been transcribing the gravestones at St Mary the Virgin Horton and came across 4 head stones for people who all drowned on the 21st of August 1914 at Blyth Sands. I just wondered if these where separate incidents or part of a tragedy that was reported in the local press??.

Gary

[CaroleW]

August must be an unlucky month to be on Blyth Sands

have a look at this link

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=92247&pid=903391&mode=threaded&start=

[JenB]

Gary,

The Times of 22nd August 1914 reports that 'six men of a party of 17 miners from the New Delavel Colliery were drowned in the sea at Blyth yesterday......one man named Smith was rescued.  Four others brought out of the sea dead. The bodies of two others could not be found. Of the six drowned four were married. Their names were Thomas Latty, Thomas Barker, John Barker, William Barker, William Auld and John Sims. The bodies of the last two have not been recovered'.

Jennifer

[Preshous]

Thanks Carole & Jen
Thanks for the information. I thought I had photographed the same headstone 4 times.
Blyth Sands certainly seems to be an unlucky place to bathe. It must have been so distressing for the miners families given that they worked in the most dangerous job in the world only to die while relaxing.

Gary

[Michael Dixon]

Wow, What sad reading !

 I did not know Blyth Sands/Beach could be so deadly!
My family and I were frequenters of Blyth Sands/Beach during 40s and 50s (it was free) and going into the sea was part of the enjoyment.

With the family our spot was near Gloucester Lodge. As I got older my mates and I favoured area around the Blyth Pier ( "West Pier" ). To earn your spurs you had to swim out to sea and around the Blyth Pier lighthouse and back.
It was frightening, and very cold, but it had to be done- the lasses were watching ! I started with a macho  crawl stroke , then when almost out of sight resorted to the "Doggie Paddle"

If I had known about those earlier tragedies, I might have had second thoughts.

Michael "Phelps" Dixon

[Preshous]

Thomas John & William Barker were brothers.

[Preshous]

I know this is off topic but it seems like August must have been an unlucky month just living in and around Blyth.
I came across this headstone in Horton.

In Affectionate Remembrance
of
Helen Susanna
the Beloved Wife of
Thomas Lawrence
Who Died August 16th 1875
Aged 26 Years
Charles Edward Their Son
Died August 12th 1875 Aged Five Years
James Thrussell Their Son
Died August 19th 1875 Aged One Year
William Thomas Their Son
Died August 22nd 1875 Six Years
Modest Home Will Truly Wise
Pity Ever in Her Eyes
Patience Ever in Her Breast
Great in Good in Evil Least
Loving Wife and Mother Dear
Such Was She Who Now Lies Here

Poor Thomas.

Gary

[Michael Dixon]

  Gary,

 When I saw this very sad tidings on this family, I though of epidemic (might be gatroenteritis) in the Cowpen Square community( near the High Ferry landing) round about that time.

 Looked on 1871 census- no result.... I notice FreeBMD has those four deaths in Sept Qtr 1874, not 1875 ?

Michael

[Preshous]

Hi Michael

Very strange that it was registered in 1874. The headstone says 1875. Someone dropped a clanger.
Still very sad.

Gary