FATALITY AT THE OCEAN BEACH.
A sad fatality occurred at St. Clair this afternoon at 3.45. Three young ladies belonging to Mornington, namely, Miss Emily Jeffreys, Miss Gertrude Jeffreys, and Miss Amy Lowe, went for a swim on the Ocean Beach just abreast of the point where the St. Clair tram stops. They could all swim, and were enjoying themselves, when Miss Gertrude remarked to Miss Low that she thought her sister Emily was rather far out. They accordingly sang out to the latter to come in. On attempting to do so Miss Lowe and her companion felt a strong current and got ashore themselves with some little difficulty; but Miss Emily Jeffreys was unable to do so. Seeing that she was in a predicament, one of the by-standers, named John McCutcheon, went into her rescue, but was unable to bring her out. Meanwhile Constable Hastings, who was at the baths, saw that there was something wrong, and in company with a young man man named James Cannon hastened to the scene with a lifebuoy. Cannon put the buoy over his shoulders, and succeeded in bringing Miss Jeffreys on shore. Meanwhile McCutcheon was drowning, and the breakers ran so high that no assistance could be rendered to him. At a quarter to five his body could be seen among the breakers, but had not then been brought on shore.
A large number of people are now on the spot, and the body may be recovered at any minute. Dr Macpherson, who happened to be on the Beach at the time, attended to the three young ladies, who are quite well, excepting having suffered a shock. Miss Jeffreys never lost consciousness.
John McCutcheon, who was drowned, was a painter in the employ of Smith and Smith, of the Octagon, was married, and the father of two or and a son of Mr Hugh McCutcheon, licensee of the Ayrshire Hotel.
James Cannon, who drew Miss Jeffreys out of the breakers, is employed at Wain's Hotel, and is none the worse for his adventure.
At five o’clock McCutcheon's body had disappeared. Cannon’s action is highly praised by all the by-standers. It seems that he swam out and gave the lifebuoy to Miss Jeffreys, afterwards getting on shore without it, which was not easy, seeing that the tide was going out.
McCutcheon had been working at his trade on a house on the Esplanade, this accounting for his being present. The police will keep up a search for the body. -Evening Star, 29/2/1888.
THE FATALITY AT THE OCEAN BEACH.
There is not much to add to the particulars given in last night's issue concerning the circumstances under which John McCutcheon met his death. Deceased was not a strong swimmer, but seeing the imminent peril of Miss Emily Jeffreys he hesitated not to jeopardise his life in the attempt to save her. It is in evidence that he did not undertake this task in ignorance of the risk he was running, as on being appealed to he made the remark: "Well, I'm not a very good swimmer, but I'll do what I can," or something to that effect; and without further ado he walked into the breakers on his self-sacrificing mission. The exact cause of his getting into difficulties can only be surmised. He sank very suddenly after swimming for some distance; and this has led some to suppose that he may have been seized with cramp, which is not at all improbable, seeing that he may have been overheated by his run down, and had to go into the water feet first. When we went to press last evening the body had disappeared; but a little after six o'clock it was washed into shallow water a little nearer the baths than where the fatality occurred; and Mr McCutcheon, who was on the look-out, brought the remains of his son ashore with the assistance of the bystanders. The corpse was conveyed to the St. Clair Hotel, where it now lies pending the holding of an inquest at 4.30 p.m. to-day.
Miss Jeffreys behaved with rare presence of mind when she found that she could not regain the shore, and, instead of expending her strength by battling with the under-tow, she calmly turned on her back and kept floating until Cannon came to her rescue. This made Cannon's work comparatively easy, as Miss Jeffreys had her senses about her, and was able to obey his instructions. We, however, by no means underrate Cannon's action. It was no light matter to deliberately set about a task which had cost one man his life, and it must be remembered that the best swimmers are liable to be brought to grief under such circumstances. John McCutcheon's death will be deplored by all who knew him. He had taken a leading part in athletic sports, and was a member of the South Dunedin Fire Brigade and those with whom he was acquainted speak highly of his character and pleasant disposition. He leaves a wife and three children. It becomes the duty of the public to respect the memory of this brave man by seeing that those who were his immediate charge are not allowed to want in a pecuniary sense now that the bread-winner has been snatched away. As the first step in this direction, there is to be a performance in aid of the family by the Amateur Operatic Company, which is to take place on Saturday evening, those connected with it having generously agreed to give their services. A committee, consisting of Messrs H. S. Fish, M.H.R., A. Lees, H. Walden, T. Fogo, R. Swan, and H. B. Smith have taken in hand the making of the necessary arrangements, and we have no doubt the public will liberally respond.
The correspondent who sends us a letter signed "Nepo" will observe that his suggestion has been already made and acted on.
The Rev. Edward Walker writes to us: "The terribly sad fatality which occurred at the beach yesterday suggests three steps which should be taken immediately in the public interest: — l. The erection of a conspicuous notice in the vicinity of the esplanade by the proper authorities warning the unwary of the danger of bathing on the beach, from the strength of the surf and the set of the currents, and forbidding bathing there. 2. The posting up of instructions, such as the Royal Humane Society publishes, for the restoration, where practicable, of persons recovered from the water in an unconscious state. 3. The formation of a local humane society or a branch of the Royal, if (as I judge from my directory) no organisation of the kind at present exists in these parts, to take cognisance of such matters. I trust that the heroism of the noble fellow who sacrificed his life to save another's will bear fruit in the prevention of similar disasters, besides receiving such practical commemoration as a sympathising public can institute in the form of beneficence to his bereaved family, and that the applause of the crowd which greeted him who brought the lady safely ashore will not be deemed a sufficient public recognition of his bravery.
JOHN McCUTCHEON
(Drowned while attempting to rescue life at Forbury Beach, 29th February, 1888).
"In the wave, and drowning, say you? No one near to hear her cry,
And lend a hand to save her, say you? Then to rescue her I'll try!"
"I'm not a goodly swimmer truly; But I'll do my very best!"
Forth he rushes! never swerving, Feels the breakers on his breast.
Strongly struggling, though the surf rolls Stronger still upon the beach;
Bravely onward! though he's breathless, Still he hopes the girl to reach.
Yes, he struggles still, tho' feebler; Fighting death at every stroke;
Till the cruel waves engulf him, And the noble spirit broke!
He'd no selfish thought of danger; But one purpose, firm and clear;
To "do his best" a life to rescue, To be a man when danger's near
Forth he went and fought so bravely — Bravely thought a life to save;
Regardless of the fate encountered, Regardless of an ocean grave.
Hero he, indeed! and nobler Far above, what words can tell —
Saw this duty lie before him. Strove at once to do it well.
Wife and child are left to mourn him, Left to suffer now he's gone.
Shall a hero's wife and children Suffer want for what he's done?
Do not mourn your hero husband, Do not mourn your father dead.
Wife and children, he has left you A name in history to be read.
Citizens we're all ennobled By an action such as his;
When a hero dies amongst us — Dies a noble death like this.
Stretch a hand to help his children, To assuage his widow's tears.
Make the name of John McCutcheon Remembered still in later years.
Gilbert Rock. Dunedin, March 1, 1888. -Evening Star, 1/3/1888.
It is proposed to get up a swimming tournament at St. Clair in aid of the widow and children of John McCutcheon. All those willing to assist are requested to meet at Mellicks refreshment rooms, St Clair, oqn Monday evening. -Evening Star, 2/3/1888.
THE DROWNING CASE AT ST. CLAIR.
An inquest was held at the St. Clair Hotel yesterday afternoon on the body of John McCutcheon, who met his death at the Ocean Beach on the previous day, before Coroner Carew and a jury.
Hugh McCutcheon, father of the deceased, said that the latter was born in Ayrshire, and had been about sixteen years in New Zealand. He was nearly twenty-nine years of age, and left a wife and three children. His occupation was that of a painter.
James Davidson, painter, Leith street, Dunedin, deposed that he was at work at St. Clair, and McCutcheon was working alongside of him. Deceased said to him that he was going to have a swim about five o'clock, and that he had been in the surf before. Later on in the day, about three o'clock, they saw three young ladies bathing in the surf. Witness said some of them would get beyond their depth shortly. They continued in the water, and he heard some screaming. One of them was much farther out than the other two who were in the surf. Witness then said to McCutcheon: "You are a bit of a swimmer, Jack; do you think you could save her?" He said: "I will try; I think I have been out there before." He took his coat and vest off and ran down to the beach, and took the rest of his clothes off there. He went into the water, and got out about 30yds or 40yds. He never got beyond the surf. He noticed nothing about his swimming until he turned. He only got within 150 yds of the young woman, and was about 50yds off the shore. He saw the young man who saved the young lady about a quarter past four. Witness described what took place.
James Cannon, in Mr Wain's employ, said that when he was dressing himself after the event some people came to him and asked him to get the body, as they could see it amongst the surf. He saw it himself, but he did not think it worth venturing for the dead body after he had saved the living one. Of course he thought the body would come on shore and he would not venture out, as he told the people. He noticed the current, which was a great drawback to his getting out. — To the Coroner: As a good swimmer, he considered it was very dangerous to bathe on the Ocean Beach. — To the Jury: He was confident that he could have brought the young lady out without the buoy. The buoy was a great assistance to him in returning. Of course he had to be very careful in going near her. She might not have had her wits about her, and he made inquiries of her to see if she was in a good state of mind. When he got the answer he was satisfied. Supposing buoys were stationed along the beach, persons would have to swim out with them, for they could net throw them far. He considered it wrong to bathe on the Ocean Beach at all, He felt certain he could save the lady, but the surf almost drove him off his legs.
The jury returned the following verdict: "Accidentally drowned while attempting to save life. That Mr Cannon is deserving of much commendation for his bravery in saving the young woman's life.'' The jury drew attention to the great danger attending bathing in the surf at the Ocean Beach.
OCEAN BEACH CATASTROPHE. TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, — Human nature never rises so much above itself as when in the midst of imminent peril. It casts aside all selfish considerations, and rushes forward, braving every danger, to save a perishing fellow-creature. And it is truly creditable to our species that on such occasions there is seldom wanting sound hearts and strong arms to "dare what man dare" in the attempt. This is true heroism. In the battle-field warriors may perform what have been styled "prodigies of valor"; but there the combatant is under a degree of excitement, prompted and maintained by the clangor and fury of opposing arms, which is entirely awanting in the case referred to. It is not the combative propensities that animate the hero of whom I speak, but the pure sympathies of a kind and courageous heart. Courage it is, in the truest sense, hazarding life itself in the cause of humanity. James Cannon, the hero of the day, is a young man highly respected by those who know him, and few would believe, to look at him, that he had within him that courageous spirit which he has more than once displayed; but "still waters run deep," and on this last memorable occasion, in a cool, calm manner, he took in a comprehensive, though rapid, glance at the difficulties to be overcome, and in less time than it takes to write this was buffeting with the foaming surf, which he safely passed through, and reached the young lady who owes her life to him, as she would undoubtedly have been lost but for his timely aid; and it is also very much to the credit of the young lady herself that she kept her presence of mind under the circumstances, or the consequences might have been more serious than has turned out. Poor McCutcheon, who lost his life, displayed a burst of instinctive heroism without considering the difficulties to be overcome; but, in his own words, "he had a duty to perform," and his attempt, though a fatal one, to save a fellow-creature's life is worthy of all praise; and as he is now past all honors a tablet of brass should be raised to tell his worth. He "tried his best" — what more can man do? To brave James Cannon nothing short of the Humane Society's gold medal should be given, and I hope that steps will be taken by His Worship the Mayor to recommend same to the Colonial Secretary, which will excite others to similar deeds of daring.
In conclusion, I sincerely hope that an overflowing house will be the result of to-morrow evening's entertainment at the theatre for the benefit of the widow and orphans of John McCutcheon.
— I am, etc., Valor. Dunedin, March 3.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir — The late sad fatality at St. Clair, wherein a brave man lost his life in his endeavor to save three young ladies from drowning, must touch the feelings of the citizens of Dunedin, and prompts us to endeavor to assist the sorrowing widow and children left to mourn the loss of their bread-winner; also, to contribute our token of respect and esteem for the above gallant but fatal action.
With a view of procuring pecuniary benefit for the bereaved widow, we invite the assistance of our local bands and musicians, or any persons disposed to assist in this cause, in conjunction with the Dunedin Engineers' Band, to give, on a large scale, an open-air concert at St. Clair or the Botanical Gardens, leaving to the generosity of the public the amount they feel disposed to contribute on behalf of the above object — concert to be hold on appointed afternoon or evening during ensuing week.
In conclusion, we again invite the co-operation of any kindly-disposed persons, and hope that the present committee will arrange to augment their strength, to as to carry out the above suggestion or one similar.
— I remain, sir, on behalf of Dunedin Engineers' Band, Henry Benjamin, Hon Conductor.
[The suggestion is an excellent one, and will, we hope, be at once acted on. There is nothing like striking the iron while it is hot. We hope an effort will be made to give one of the suggested concerts in the Gardens. — Ed. E.S.] -Evening Star, 2/3/1888.
THE McCUTCHEON BENEFIT.
The final performance of the 'Les Cloches' Opera Company was given at the Princess s on Saturday night for the benefit of the widow and orphans of John McCutcheon who lost his life at the Ocean Beach last week in endeavouring to rescue Miss Jeffries from drowning. The appeal for substantial support for the bereaved family was responded to, as we felt sure it would be, in a manner that emphasises most markedly the strong opinion we have always had that the people of Dunedin and suburbs will always recognise a meritorious action or liberally patronise a deserving cause. We doubt very much if the Princess's ever held a larger or more compact audience than gathered within its walls on Saturday night. Some idea of the squeezing process that had to be submitted to may be gathered from two facts, that deserve to be recorded: the pit held, it is computed, between 1,100 and 1,200 persons; and a woman who was extremely desirous of having a "front seat" was passed over the heads of the pittites as though she had been a postal parcel and finally deposited, with comparatively little discomfort, in the stalls. So great was the crush that, in order to allow of people hearing the opera with some degree of comfort, it was found advisable to lower the curtain for nearly ten minutes. With that exception, the opera went with astonishing smoothness, and principals chorus, and orchestra alike worked with a will to secure the splendid success which was attained. The Committee of management are to be heartily congratulated on the result of their indefatigable exertions, and they have the satisfaction of knowing that they have topped the record, Saturday night's takings at the doors representing the handsome sum of L224.
At the Close of the first act a presentation was made to Mr James Cannon, who succeeded in rescuing Miss Jeffreys. The stage was occupied by the members of the opera company, His Worship the Mayor (Mr Dawson) and members of the Dunedin, South Dunedin, Caversham Railway, Port Chalmers, and Roslyn Fire Brigades, and of the Salvage Corps.
Mr H S Fish, addressing the audience, said: Ladies and gentlemen, I appear before you this evening, in the first place to thank you very heartily and sincerely, on behalf of the committee of management, for the help you are giving, and for the exceedingly generous manner in which you have responded to an appeal made on your kindly feeling. I have in the second place to thank the ladies and gentlemen who are catering so successfully for our entertainment, and who have all freely given their services. I have also to tender thanks to Mr Sibbald who has on this occasion, as on many others, kindly given the use of this nice theatre entirely of charge. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall not detain you long but it cannot be out of place for me to say a few words with regard to what has happened in our midst during the last week. We have had unhappily to record on frequent occasions dire catastrophes, but it is very seldom we have in the short space of one week to deplore the loss of two men by sudden and violent death —the one in discharge of his duties, and the other in the performance of an act of heroism that I venture to say is unequalled in the annals of this colony. What, ladies and gentlemen, can be more touching in its resolute earnestness of purpose and its touching simplicity than the words the unfortunate McCutcheon is reported to have used when leaving his ladder, his paint, and his work to endeavor to save the life of a fellow-creature. He said: "I'm not a good swimmer, or I am not a very good swimmer, but I'll do my best — (Loud applause.) That this noble fellow when he was going to what, though he did not know it, was his doom could speak words of such touching simplicity, yet such heroic courage, redounds greatly to his credit. We have heard often of acts of heroism on the battle field, and I glory in them; but I think that very possibly many of those deeds of valor are performed because of the circumstances in which the men are placed, surrounded by the glorious panoply of war, and that more courage is displayed where a man, singly and alone, rushes forth to save the life of a fellow-creature without any of the excitement that is inseparable from the conflict of war, and that John McCutcheon's action in this case displayed a depth of heroism and a noble desire to aid a fellow-creature that is seldom equalled and rarely, if ever, excelled. (Loud and continuous applause.) It is a most unfortunate thing, ladies and gentlemen, that we should have to deplore the death of this unfortunate man from what I think I am justified in saying was the thoughtless folly of three young ladies — (hear, hear) — and I would take this opportunity, as a public man, to express the hope that the public in future will desist from bathing on the Ocean Beach. I am credibly informed by expert swimmers and men who might to know that there is no place, not only not in this colony, but not even in Europe, that is so dangerous to human life as our Ocean Beach. I do trust that this will be a warning to people in the future not to risk their lives in such a foolish way as did these young ladies. Now, I have only further to say that we have done our best, that you have done your best, and that the people generally will, I know, do their best to help the family of this hero, John McCutcheon. This help will not only be of assistance to the widow and a material benefit to herself and her little ones, but it will be a consolation to her as expressing the heartfelt sympathy of the people of Dunedin, and as a tribute of respect to the memory of the brave man whose death we are deploring. It is not necessary at all to expatiate upon this point, because over and over again it has been acknowledged that the people of Dunedin and of Otago are ever ready at the hour of need to aid with their substantial assistance any cause of grief or distress that may arise amongst them. — (Applause.) I believe that the committee will succeed in obtaining for the widow and family of Mr McCutcheon a very substantial sum — I think it will amount to L300 or L400 at the least — and as material assistance and an expression of public sympathy will be some consolation to the widow in her great affliction. All can say now is, let so hope there will be peace to the ashes of a brave man, and implore God's help for the fatherless orphans. And now that we have paid a tribute to the dead, there remains for us a pleasing task to perform, and that is to show a tribute of respect and honor to the living. I purpose introducing to you now the gentleman who was fortunate enough to be able to save the life of the young lady. It is only fitting that he should be presented with some mark of the esteem of the people of Dunedin as a recognition of the bravery which he displayed upon the occasion to which I have referred. — (Mr Cannon here stepped on the stage, and his appearance was the signal for vociferous applause.) Mr Fish, resuming, said: Mr Cannon — you have displayed great bravery and heroism in the saving of human life, but I am quite sure it is not your desire that I should use words of flattery in recognising the efforts — the successful efforts — you have made. Still it is meet and proper that I should be bestowing upon you this simple mark of the citizens' esteem, in some faint way express what I take to be the deep feeling of respect and admiration which the people of Dunedin feel for the brave act which you have performed. — (Loud applause). I have spoken, and I believe justly, of Mr McCutcheon as a hero, but if it were possible that heroism such as his could be excelled, I take leave to think that you have excelled it; because whilst you had the knowledge of the fact before you that one of our fellow-creatures had just lost his life in the vain attempt to save the life of another, you, regardless of that — though probably ninety-nine out of a hundred would have been appalled at it — you with boldness rushed through the boiling surf, and, with the blessing of God, were instrumental in saving life. — (Loud applause). No words that I can say to you can express half of what I feel myself, or what this great concourse of people feel with regard to you. It is our duty and our pleasure to recognise exceptional bravery, and I can call to mind no act of bravery which has excelled that by which you have distinguished yourself. — (Applause.) I can only say this and I am sure that the audience will endorse what I say, that if ever there was anyone deserving to be the recipient of the Royal Society's medal, you, Mr James Cannon, are — (loud applause) — and I shall make it my business, ladies and gentlemen, to bring his heroic act before the proper authorities with that view. Mr Cannon, I have only now to present you with this slight memento of the admiration in which you are held by the citizens of Dunedin, and I am sure you will regard it not on account of its costly character, but simply on account of the generous feelings which prompted the donors in making you its recipient. This watch, which I now present you, has this inscription upon it: — "Presented to Mr James Cannon in recognition of the great bravery he displayed in rescuing a lady from drowning in the surf at the Ocean Beach, Dunedin, at the risk of his own life, on Wednesday, 29th of February, 1888." And in making the presentation I wish you health, long life, and the greatest prosperity. — (Loud applause.)
Mr Cannon said: Ladies and gentlemen, I am no man of speech, but I may say I really did not expect this. When I went in my only idea was to save life; nothing more did I want, and I expected nothing else. I am here, as you may see, but it was not within my expectation that I should be. With respect to the present and your recognition of what I did, all that I can say is that I thank you and sincerely. —(Loud applause.)
Mr Fish, in a short speech afterwards, eulogised the performance of the company, and remarked that it was an admirable thing that the community should possess such an effective musical organisation, which had been the means of raising something like L350 for charitable purposes in two nights. -Evening Star, 5/3/1888.
The funeral of John McCutcheon, who was drowned at St. Clair while trying to save the life of Miss Jeffrey, took place to-day and was very largely attended. The members of the city, Port Chalmers, and suburban fire brigades attended. Cannon, who saved Miss Jeffrey, after McCutcheon was drowned in the attempt, was presented last night with a gold watch as a mark of appreciation of his services. -Hawkes Bay Herald, 5/3/1888.
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