By Isle of Wight Observer
In the Isle of Wight Observer published on 4th June, 1859 there is an account of a near-fatal boat collision. The unfortunate man overboard was revived with a swig of grog – rum mixed with water. The editor clearly thinks that there is ‘one rule for them and another for the rest of us’ when it comes to the Royal Navy.
According to the Navy’s website there have been five HMS Biters. The third Biter saw action during the bombardment of Sveaborg in August 1855. She was a ‘Dapper’ class wood steam boat, and saw 10 years service before being sold as a coal hulk
ANOTHER ACCIDENT – RECKLESS DRIVING BY STEAM – NO LOOK OUT!
On Friday afternoon one of Her Majesty’s gunboats (believed to be the Biter) left Cowes Roads for Ryde. On her passage up she passed inside the white buoy off Old Castle Point. A young man of the name of Edward Ward was fishing about 100 yards inside, to the eastward of the buoy. Observing the gunboat steering very wild, and sheering about as if left to find her own way back, he stood up in his boat and holloed with all his might; not withstanding which the gunboat stood on, and in another moment run over the boat and precipitated him into the water. Fortunately he was a good swimmer, but from the weight of his clothes he became exhausted and sunk. In his struggles under water the fishing line got entangled with him, and he again rose to the surface. His situation was now observed by those on board the gunboat, which immediately backed to the spot, when one of the crew jumped overboard and rescued the drowning man, who was then taken on board and refreshed with a glass of grog, which brought him to. his boat was recovered uninjured, and having been baled out he was despatched to the shore.
[Surely it is quite time that something should be done to protect Her Majesty’s lieges when afloat. It was only a few weeks back three men were killed by the Doris frigate. Had the accident been done by a poor merchantman, there would have been an inquiry, as was the case some few years back off the Wight. A verdict of manslaughter would make them more cautious for the future. A proper look out appears to be needed.]