Potter drowned after falling in river

Man drowned in the Tees. A man named William Swales, 40 years of age, and a potter by trade, was drowned on Friday night in the Tees. He had been drinking most of the day at Middlesbrough, from which place he proceeded by steam-boat to Stockton. Upon his arrival there, he got more drink at the Ship Launch Inn, on the quayside, near the steam-boat landing.

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About 8 o’clock he left the house and staggered towards the quay, and fell over into the river. A ferryman named I’anson heard the splash caused by his falling into the water, and hastened to the spot where the deceased had fallen in, but he merely saw the water disturbed for a moment. The poor fellow had sunk was sent seen no more. The body has not yet been recovered. It is a singular fact that deceased is the fourth of so many brothers that have been drowned; one having met his death whilst bathing in the Tees, and two others theirs whilst skating on Portrack Lane.

From this newspaper 100 years ago –

St Nicholas, about a quarter of a mile from Richmond, the home of the Hon Robert and Lady Evelyn James, narrowly escaped destruction by fire early on Thursday morning. The outbreak was noticed by Mr James Bolland. An alarm was immediately raised and the household was soon astir. The Hon Robert James was soon on the scene, and seeing the serious nature of the outbreak telephoned for the Richmond Fire Brigade.

The fire originated in the servants’ quarters, and in the room where the outbreak took place was a 36- gallon barrel of paraffin, which blazed furiously. Supt Haw, Insp Dawson and PC Wilson speedily arrived, and materially assisted in preventing the fire spreading to the main portion of the building.

The brigade were on the spot within a few minutes of the alarm being given. Fortunately, on rising ground a short distance away, was a hydrant, and the service of the fire engine was not required. A long piping was attached to this and a plentiful supply of water was obtained.

So far had the fire got hold that it had extended to the upper bedrooms, and four rooms were gutted.

So serious did the outbreak seem at one time that the Hon R James was much concerned about the safety of the remainder of the building, and he had a quantity of his valuables hurriedly removed to the lawn outside. The damage is roughly put at £400. The wife of the Hon Robert James is a daughter of the Duke of Wellington. It is stated that the destruction of the St Nicholas paintings would have meant a loss to the Hon Robert James equivalent to a quarter of a million sovereigns.

From this newspaper 50 years ago –

“Fabulous” said 16-year-old Andrew Nicholson after a 100mph trip in Mr Bruce Ropner’s Jaguar XK150S. For Andrew, whose ambition is to own and race a Jaguar, it was a first taste of high-speed motoring, but he has not got a licence yet. Later in the afternoon he took his first turn at the wheel of a dual control Austin A40. Andrew was one of the first batch of young learners of 15 years and over to start a driving course on Croft Autodrome, owned by Mr Bruce Ropner and partners, and run by Mr Mike Horner’s Northallerton Motoring School on Saturday. The idea is to catch the would-be motorists young and make them into better drivers, making the roads safer and keeping the inexperienced youngsters off the road while they are learning the rudiments of motoring. Asked if starting them so young would make them cock-sure Mr Horner said he thought it would have the opposite effect for they would have the responsibility of driving instilled into them from the start. Lined up to teach the youngsters are Michael Horner, 31; Mr Derek Horner, 30; Mr Tom Neasham 42; and Mr John Grainger, 36. All four are ex-police advanced drivers and Mr Mike Horner was a motor patrol examiner.

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The course is comprehensive and deals with maintenance as well as driving, and two qualified mechanics, Mr John Eggleston, 31 and Mr David Kingsley, 28, will also teach the pupils.