Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article654036
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AWFUL AND MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE.--It is with the most poignant feelings of sorrow we have to relate to our Readers one of the most shocking accidents that ever came under our notice in this Island. Yesterday a boat, the property of Richard Burrows, sen, who plied the ferry at the Black Snake, left town for the pur- pose of returning home; in which were twelve passengers besides the boatman, together with a heavy cart and other luggage belong-
ing to Mr. PETERS. It appears, from the intelligence already re- ceived, that the boat ran up the river with a strong sea-breeze ; and by some accident or other, about Mr. AUSTIN'S, upset; when, mel- ancholy to relate, the whole of the unhappy souls except one were consigned to a watery grave. The names of the unfortunate per- sons are, John Taylor, James Price, John Taylor, and his wife,
Ann Taylor, respectable settlers, and all late of the Royal Marine
Corps; Mary Ann Williams, wife of James Williams, settler and district constable at Jerico, with her infant child in her arms; Eliz- abeth Ashbold, a near relation to the last mentioned sufferer; Mary Smyth, a young woman who only landed a few days ago from the
Duke of Wellington; Richard Burrows, the owner of the boat; Joseph Pocock, a shoemaker ; Peter Doran, assigned servant to R. Burrows, jun.; and a fine girl about 6 years of age, the daughter of Mr. William Williams of Macquarie-street. Charles Clarke, the only survivor, was picked up in a most exhausted state, by Mr. Austin and John Dacres, constable; who, on seeing the
accident, hastened to the spot. Thus have twelve fellow creatures been launched into eternity ! When this Paper was put to press, only the bodies of Mrs Taylor, the two children, and Mary Smyth, had been found; which were brought to town. A Coroner's In- quest was immediately summoned, and adjourned till Monday, in the hope that, by the exertions of the relatives and others of the per- sons drowned, more of the bodies might be found.
The melancholy fate of the before-mentioned sufferers strongly points out to persons who are in the habit of proceeding in boats on the Derwent river how careful they ought to be, both in regard
of the lives of passengers and the quantity of luggage they receive on board. When accidents of this kind occur, from the few boats at hand on the river, it is often out of the power of individuals, however humane their inclinations may be, to render any assistance. We should, therefore, be glad to hear of the Apparatus, recom-
mended by the Humane Society for the recovery of drowned per- sons, being left in some convenient house on the banks of the river.