The Hero of the Humber Part 9

Dear Sir,--In reply to your letter of yesterday's date, I beg to inform you that the cases alluded to in the statement of John Ellerthorpe are all _out of date_ for any reward from this Society.

Perhaps you are not aware that he has already received the Silver Medal of this Inst.i.tution for the case in 1835, which was laid before the committee at the proper period, viz., within one month after the occurrence.

I therefore beg to return you the statements, and remain, dear Sir, yours obediently,

J. CHARLIER, Jas. R. Pease, Esq., Hesslewood, Hull. _Sec._

[Sidenote: LARGE CONGRATULATORY MEETING IN HULL.]

In the year 1861, and soon after our friend had rescued John Eaby from a watery grave, the people of Hull made an effort to reward their brave and gallant townsman, who had rescued from their own docks and around the pier, not fewer than twenty-three persons. A committee was formed, under the presidentship of Mr. John Symons, a member of the Town Council, and a man of untiring energy and philanthropic disposition. Mr.

Symons thus states the origin and success of this movement:--

'Hull, _Sept 13th, 1867_, 72, Queen Street.

Dear Sir,--I must apologise for my seeming neglect in not complying earlier with your request respecting Mr. Ellerthorpe: the fact is, my public duties allow me but little leisure for writing. However, I will try to refresh my memory as to the way in which that kind, humane, undaunted man, received recognition. In July, 1861, the local papers contained an account of a young man named Eaby, who, while in an apoplectic fit, fell into the dock basin; the tide was running down rapidly and the wind was blowing strong. Mr.

Ellerthorpe, while on duty at the dock gates, saw the man struggling and beating the water into foam; he immediately plunged from the wall, and after a fearful struggle between the two, the young man being violently affected, both were saved. This act was witnessed by several people, amongst whom were two warm-hearted working men, named Steadman and Turner. The following day they called upon me, with a written list of twenty-nine lives saved by Mr. Ellerthorpe. The account savoured of romance, but then it was signed by living witnesses, who corroborated the truth of the statements made. The men asked me to a.s.sist them in getting up some public demonstration in favour of Mr. Ellerthorpe. I told them I would lend my humble aid, but they must obtain some man of mark for their chairman, to take the initiative. They applied to several gentlemen, but in vain, all refused. They pleaded hard that I would act as chairman, and sooner than allow the thing to die away, I consented, although, at the time, entirely unused to address large public audiences. The mayor, W. Hodge, Esq., granted us the use of a large room at the Town Hall, and then we issued large placards calling upon the people to attend and publicly congratulate Mr.

Ellerthorpe on his recent narrow escape, and likewise to open a subscription for presenting him with a testimonial. The meeting was a crowded one, but princ.i.p.ally composed of working men. I was not in the least disheartened by this; for long before I had got through the list of persons saved by John Ellerthorpe, the large county-court room rang with cheer after cheer pealing forth ever and anon. When, for the first time, was enrolled the long, distinguished list of lives saved from drowning by the hitherto obscure and humble servant of the Humber Dock Company, such heroism and bravery 'touched' the souls of a few present who could afford to subscribe.

[Sidenote: COUNCILLOR SYMON'S ACCOUNT OF THE MEETING.]

The following letter from Dale Brown, Esq., was then read:--

Pilot Office, Hull, _Aug. 8, 1861_.

Sir,--Having made an engagement for Friday evening before I knew of your meeting, I cannot possibly attend.

Had one of our townsmen returned from India or the Crimea, after destroying half as many lives as Mr. Ellerthorpe has been instrumental in saving, he would have been considered a 'hero,'

and rewarded accordingly. Surely it is more blessed to save than to destroy. Should the object of the meeting be to raise a fund for acknowledging Mr. Ellerthorpe's gallantry, I shall gladly contribute my mite. I am, Sir, yours obediently,

Mr. John Symons. DALE BROWN.

I then recounted the interview with Mr. Ellerthorpe before attending the meeting, when I asked him 'what he wished in the matter,' when he made this reply, Sir, I feel sufficiently rewarded in my own breast, without receiving any reward excepting the approbation of heaven, and the satisfaction of having won for myself the grat.i.tude of my fellow townsmen.' This was responded to by loud and long cheering. I then called upon Mr. W. Turner to move the first resolution, and Mr. Steadman to second it, because they were the pioneers of the movement. _Just at this crisis of the meeting John Eaby came forward and publicly thanked Ellerthorpe for what he had done_, which called forth the most exciting cheering.

Then the late Rev. Charles Rawlings (Wesleyan) rose from amongst the people, and, in a sententious speech delivered with a stentorian voice, asked, 'How much does the meeting feel towards a testimonial,' and offered the first donation as a proof of _his feeling_ for Mr. Ellerthorpe. Our fears were then scattered to the wind; the vessel I saw was well launched. Another gentleman, Mr.

Henry Taylor, came forward and said, in antic.i.p.ation of a subscription being made towards a testimonial to Mr. Ellerthorpe, he had already collected a nucleus of 35. A committee was then formed of which I was chosen chairman, Mr. E. Haller, secretary, and Mr. Taylor, treasurer. Three cheers were then given for the success of the 'Testimonial Fund,' and when I rose and christened John Ellerthorpe, 'The Hero of the Humber,' and 'Champion Life Buoy of England,' the people rose _en ma.s.se_ cheering in the most enthusiastic manner. The next morning found the Humber Dock foreman a household word. I will not weary you with recapitulating the result of our labours. From the Premier of England down to the humblest dock labourer, all vied with each other in subscribing to the homage of this valorous, humane man.

And, sir, I think a moral may be drawn from this,--that no person, however humble he may be in his circ.u.mstances, but has it in his power to bless the world. One man can do so by deeds of valour, another by hard and plodding industry, and a third by thought and mental efforts. It has been well said, 'they build up a loftier population making man more manly.' It is evidently our duty to lend a helping hand in the hour of need, either by our wisdom, power, or benevolence. This thought should act as an incentive, more or less powerful, on each person, and make him restless until he becomes satisfied that he is doing something to ameliorate the condition of his fellow men. Men should thus fulfil their mission until called to receive their reward, namely, 'Rest for their souls under the tree of Life.'

I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully, Mr. H. Woodc.o.c.k. JOHN SYMONS.

[Sidenote: A WORKING MAN'S LETTER.]

The following letter, addressed to Mr. Symons, is given as a specimen of the feeling with which the working men of Hull regarded this movement:--

Hull, _Aug. 9th, 1861_.

Mr. Chairman,--I cannot let the present opportunity pa.s.s without thanking the committee for the movement they have taken in this affair. It shows that such acts of humanity may appear to slumber for a time in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of Englishmen until they can bear it no longer, then out it must come; and permit me to add that the moment I heard of the movement to present some token of respect to Mr.

Ellerthorpe, it put me in mind of the time when I was a boy about eight years of age: I was sailing a small boat aside of the steps of what is commonly called, Sand South End, in the old harbour, when I over-reached myself and fell in. A boy was with me at the time who ran up the steps and shouted out, 'A boy overboard.' A gentleman, who then lived in Humber Street, was sitting in his front room, he immediately ran out, leaped into the water, took hold of me just as I was going down for the third time, and saved my life from a watery grave. I have always reverenced that gentleman ever since. His name is Mr. Bean, and he was for several years an alderman for the borough. What, then, must be the feelings of the thirty-nine who have been saved at the eminent risk and peril of Mr. Ellerthorpe's life? We may help each other in a pecuniary point of view, but very few amongst us have the nerve, power, and ability to leap into the ocean and render a.s.sistance to our fellow men. I have therefore great pleasure in subscribing five shillings towards anything you may be disposed to present Mr.

Ellerthorpe with.

I am, my dear Sir, your obedient servant, WM. ALLEN.

[Sidenote: POETIC TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO 'THE HERO.']

Our friend's name had become familiar as a household word in all circles of society, in the town and neighbourhood of Hull, and great numbers lent their influence to this effort to acknowledge the unequalled bravery of their fellow townsman, whom we must, henceforth acknowledge as the 'Hero of the Humber.' The 'Hull Daily Express' contained the following poetic tribute of respect to our 'Hero.'

'Amid all changes evermore unfolded By mental throe, by accident of time, Mankind shall venerate the men who moulded Heroic actions with an aim sublime!

O! ye who shine along life's desert places, Who've lived for others' good to help and save, Affection hails ye with profound embraces And bows before a brother truly brave!

One whose gallant deeds in n.o.ble brotherhood, n.o.bler far than warrior's valiant strife, Have found their own reward in others' good And proved a blessing in preserving life.

And WHO IS HE of whom this land is proud, Whose name we honour and whose worth is known?

He's one who does his duty in the crowd, A worker there--and yet he stands alone!

Without pretension, who by deeds endears His name afar beyond his native strand, A son of toil--yet one of Nature's peers!

Whose worth's acknowledged in his native land!

His is the praise well won for gallant action In saving life along our Humber sh.o.r.e, And there are many hearths where recollection Returns to him in blessings evermore!

And he is worthy!--for in his soul implanted There is a n.o.ble usefulness--his choice For others' good, which bards of old have chanted To those who, like him, have made hearts rejoice.

O! should these lines be found in after days-- A tribute to his fair and honoured name-- Let such accord to him the meed of praise, Tell of his bravery and his worth proclaim!

All honour to thee, Ellerthorpe, and thine, And as duty calls thee to thy post each morn, May good attend thee and its graces shine, And lead thee upward and thy name adorn.'

[Sidenote: VOTE OF THANKS FROM THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.]

The following pet.i.tion, signed by W. Hodge, Esq., Mayor, and upwards of sixty of the leading ministers, merchants, and gentlemen of Hull, was forwarded to the Royal Humane Society:--

To the Honourable the Court of the Royal Humane Society.

We, the undersigned, members of the munic.i.p.al corporation, the Trinity House, and the Dock Company at Kingston-upon-Hull, and merchants of that borough, beg most respectfully to submit to the consideration of your honourable court, the services of John Ellerthorpe, now a foreman in the service of the Dock Company of this borough, who, during the course of the last forty years has, by the providence of G.o.d and his own intrepidity, rescued from a watery grave no fewer than twenty-eight persons, often at the great risk of his own life, as may be seen from the statement of particulars hereto annexed.

On a former occasion, on the 18th of January, 1836, you were pleased to award to Ellerthorpe a medallion and certificate on a representation being made to the society of his having saved eight persons from drowning while employed as a mariner in the New Holland Ferry.

Considering that the number of persons he has now saved amounts to twenty-eight, we take the liberty of bringing Ellerthorpe's further claims before your notice, believing that you will think with us that his further successful exertions in the cause of humanity, in saving so many persons from drowning, merit some additional mark of your approval.

We are, Your honourable court's most obedient servants.

In response to this appeal the society awarded to our 'Hero' an especial vote of thanks, of which more _anon_.

The following appeal was made to Lord Palmerston:

Yarmouth and Rotterdam Steam Packet Office, Kingston-upon-Hull, _30th August, 1861._

My Lord,--The enclosed doc.u.ments relate to a series of, perhaps, unequalled acts of daring on the part of an inhabitant, a working man, of this borough, in rescuing persons from drowning. He has succeeded, at the repeated risk of his own life, in saving no fewer than twenty-nine persons from a watery grave.

The Court of the Royal Humane Society having, in respect of the twenty-ninth case, and in reply to the enclosed pet.i.tion, awarded him their 'Thanks on Vellum,' a committee of his fellow townsmen has been organised to ensure for him some more substantial award.

From your lordship's well-known appreciation of heroic benevolence, the committee has ventured to lay his case before you, in the hope that you would deem it worthy of your distinguished patronage.

I have the honour to be, on the part of the committee,

Your Lordship's Most humble and obedient servant, EDWARD HALLER, _Hon. Sec. 'Ellerthorpe Testimonial.'_

[Sidenote: RECEIVES 20 FROM THE ROYAL BOUNTY.]