Hannah Tyack Ellis

Hannah Tyack Ellis

Female 1826 -


 

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT Severus Hildebrand; witness Mr Hannibal Ellis

Munster News - Wednesday 12 May 1852


MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.

  Considerable excitement was created on yester-day, by a fatal accident that took place on Sunday night. by which the life of a young man. named Severus Hildebrand, has been lost. It appears  that the deceased, who was a Clerk in the Bank of Ireland, in company with four young men, also cierks in the banks, proceeded down the river In the direction of Bunratty, where they spent the day. They left Bunratty about four o'clock ; but the wind and tide being against them, they were not able to return farther than Connagh. They all got out of the boat, with the exception of the deceased, who refused to leave the boat until he would give her up safe to the Master of the brig 'Ocean,' from whom he had borrowed her in the morning. He. wrapped himself up in the sail and made his companions go home —assuring them that he was accustomed to remain out in an open boat. He was never afterward. seen alive. His body was discovered by a boatman on the next day, within about twenty yards of the boat. It appears that it was the intention of the deceased to resign his situation and proceed to the gold diggings in Australia.

THE INQUEST.

  On yesterday, Thomas Costelloe Esq, coroner held an inquest, on view of the body at Barrington's Hospital. The following jury were sworn—Richard Raleigh, Tom Clanchy, John Peacocke, Jeremiah. Ryan. Francis Lacey, Michael Dunphy, Stephen Ryan, Patrick Synan, David Meany Andrew O'Meara, John Lavan, Thomas Bourke
  Mr Bouchier appeared on behalf of the young men who had been in the company of deceased.
  Dr Myles Burke was the first witness examined, deposed that he examined the body of the deceased and there were no marks of violence upon it. He might have died from suffocation or apoplexy.
  James Perrott, a fisherman. deposed that he and a comarade were sent by Dr Spain to search for the deceased ; proceeded to Coonsh, and could get no account of him; but on their  return saw himlying on his back at the bottom of Coonagh bank. The boat was fastened about 30 yards west of the body. The tide was out at the time he found the body; the oars, sails, a basket of bread,  meat were in the boat; did not know deceased. Is of opinion there was not sufficient water to drown him where witness found him at the time; the boat, which was an open one. belonged to the brig Ocean.'
  Dr Spain deposed that the lodged with him. Mr Ellis, who also lodges with him, came in about ten o'clock on Sunday night ; Mr Ellis tell the servant that Mr Hildebrand would not be in that night, and to lock the door ; witness sent two men to look for deceased and the boat, when Mr Ellis told him next morning about the matter. .
  Mr Hannibal Ellis, having been sworn, deposed, that diseased borrowed a boat from the brig Ocean, for the purpose of going down the river on Sunday last they accordingly went down as far as Bun-ratty ; there were five in the boat—Mr Lacy, Mr Devitt, Mr Joyner, witness and wdeceased who ma-naged the boat; witness steered ; heard deceased say he was accustomed to manage a boat; they left Bunratty about half-past four for the purpose of returning to Limerick ; but the wind was against them, and they were not able to come up further then Coonagh. opposite Tervoe; they all agreed to leave the boat there for the night ; Mr Joyner got out of the boat two hours before that for the purpose of coming to Limerick ; decreased refused to leave the boat, though asked several times; he borrowed the boat, and he would mind her all night ; he desired the others to go away, that he was much accustomed to manage a boat ; it was beginning to rain after they left him.
  The Foreman asked, was not that an unpleasant night to leave him in an open boat by himself?
  Witness—lt was, but deceased said he often slept in an open boat, and if deceased requested him or expressed the slightest wish to have him remain, he, witness would not have left him ; they were all perfectly sober.
  The Coroner asked what quantity of whiskey they took with them
  Witness—They had bread and cold meat, a gallon of bitter ale, a quart of whiskey made into punch; they bought some whiskey at Bunratty, but did not touch it. It was afterwards found In the boat ; some of the punch and ale was also left ; deceased was also sober; they were all greatly fatigued, and wet, having shipped two seas; witness fastened the boat to the bank before he left, and deceased rolled a sail about him. saying he would be quite comfortable for the night ; was acquainted with the deceased for the last six months, Witness promised deceased to be down at 5 o'clock in the morning, but he slept till 8 o'clock. When he awoke he went down without his breakfast ; but could not see the deceased, tho' the boat was in the same position, he left her the previous evening; often heard deceased say he did not care about stopping out at night. Deceased was a man of temperate habits.
  Mr John Francis Lucas examined- I asked the others to stop for the night with deceased In the boat.. Deceased desired them to leave him by him-self,. I would not have left him If I thought there was this the slightest danger. We were all sober. Mr Joyner left about two hours. before, as he was to slept In the bank.
  Mr William Joyner examined— l was one of the  party that went down the river. I left some time before the others. I was in Limerick at 30 minutes before nine. We were all sober. There was no difficulty in bringing up the boat when I left. I was acquainted with deceased for the last six months. He was a man of temperate habits.
  This was the last witness examined, after which the coroner charged the jury. who, after some deliberation returned a verdict, to the effect that de-ceased came by his death from apoplexy or suffocation, superinduced by over exertion in an open boat, In such a place and in such a time of night.




Munster News - Wednesday 12 May 1852

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002912/18520512/028/0002

Date12 May 1852
Linked toHannah Tyack Ellis