By Press Release
A sad tale from the Isle of Wight Observer published on March 8th, 1884.
“HOME, SWEET HOME.” – A correspondent of the Field gives the following explanation of the fox at Sea View, which we recorded at the time: “On the 21st ult. the charming little yachting resort of Sea View, near Ryde, witnessed sport of a very unusual description and caused considerable excitement amongst the residents and visitors of the place at this quiet season of the year.
A fox was seen coming down from the interior of the Island, quietly and unmolested, at a point just free from the habitations, and crossing the road to Ryde he at once took to the water, and headed for the mainland. No one had in any way interfered with the reynard. A boat was launched some 700 yards from where the fox took the water, and immediately went in pursuit, overtaking the fox just as he was putting his head a good deal under water, having had a swim of about a mile.
The sailors, having got him into the boat, immediately treated him as a drowning man to get the water out of him, brought him ashore, put a collar on, and placed him in comfort. The hopes and confidence felt in his symptoms of recovery were doomed, however, to disappointment; poor Reynard, notwithstanding every effort to overcome the shock, expired. From marks on examination and inquiry this fox proves to have been a short time since turned down in the centre of the Island from a country on the mainland which has been given up.
The animal appears not to have been disturbed in any sense of the word, but was half-starved in condition, and evidently not happy in his new quarters. Such a remarkable case, I venture to think, is rare, and should be placed upon record. I need not say much sympathy was expressed for Reynard and his love of home which cost him his life.”
