Drowning of a Child.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2827, 7 March 1878, Page 2

Drowning of a Child.

A little boy named Henry James Peck, sou of Mr Henry Feck, confectioner, Owen street, was drowned in the tide this morning. It appears that the little fellow, who was only two years and nine months old, strayed down to the embankment in Williamson street in company with another very small boy named Daniel Davy, aged three years. The two infants were amusing themselves on the horse-way leading to the foreshore, and the tide was full in, the time being about half-past ten. As no one saw the accident but the little boy Davyi the exact particulars cannot be stated; but the latter ran homo and told his mother that young Feck had fallen into the tide. Mrs Davy ran down at once, and when she arrired at the spot she found two boys named Smith, who had recovered the body of the unfortunate child Peck. It was taken to Mr Denby's and efforts were made to restore animation, but without avail. It is surmised that the poor little fellow dropped a doll that he had with him into the water, and in trying to recover it fell in himself. It has been considered unneccessary to hold an inquest. The cause of death was undoubtedly drowning, and the only evidence would be that of the child Davy, who would be unable to throw any additional light on the sad affair. Very general sympathy is felt for the parents of the child in their sudden bereavement.

The evidence of one of the Smith is to the effect that ho was playing marbles with his brother near the Marine View Hotel, when he heard the little boy Davy tel bis mother that "Brother" had fallen into the water. He ran down to the spot and saw something in the water about 30 feet from the embankment. On going into the water he found it was the uody of young Peck, and he t jou.-jht it ashore. It may be mentioned that when the body was iaken to Mr Denby's. Dr Payne was sent for, and was in attendance, but the efforts made to restore animation were unavailing.