The Hero of the Humber; Or, The History of the Late Mr. John EllerthorpeWoodcock, Henry
Religion
The Hero of the Humber; Or, The History of the Late Mr. John Ellerthorpe
Woodcock, Henry
Ellerthorpe, John, 1806-1868; Heroes -- England -- Biography; Sailors -- England -- Biography
I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully,
Mr. H. Woodcock. 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 pass 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 breasts 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 assistance 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.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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