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Surnames: CATLOW
Classification: Death
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/EII.2ACIB/98.1.1.1.1.1.2
Message Board Post:
Timaru Herald, June 19th 1899, Monday
The funeral of the late Mr. Blackburn Catlow took place yesterday afternoon, and was very
largely attended. The deceased was a member of the Port Guards, and was buried with
military honours. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack, on top of which were
reverently laid the uniform, arms and accoutrements of the late gunner. The officers and
men of the Port Guards, City Rifles, and Timaru Rifles mustered in almost their full
strength. Four men of the Guards acted as pallbearers and twelve men as the firing party.
The Oddfellow’s Lodge of which deceased was a respected brother also mustered well. The
Battalion Band headed the long procession, which proceeded from Wilson Street along North
Street to the main thoroughfare, each crossing being densely thronged with sympathisers.
The Church service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. W. C. Woodward; while Bro.
Leggott read the Oddfellow’s service. The coffin was lowered to its last resting place
ami!
d the rattle of musketry. The late Mr. Catlow was widely known here and his sad ending
when quite a young man has caused widespread regret. Yesterday’s large gathering
testified most eloquently to this and to the deep sympathy with his wife and little ones,
his father, and relatives.
Timaru Herald, May 15th 1899, Monday
FATALITY IN THE HARBOUR
A sad accident happened at the main wharf on Saturday afternoon by which a highly
esteemed workman named Blackburn Catlow, who was employed by Mr. Stumble’s on the repairs
to the breakwater, lost his life. A moderately heavy sea was running in the morning and
early afternoon, but as the tide rose in the afternoon the sea rapidly became stronger,
and broke over the breakwater in heavy masses. Mr. Stumble’s men were at work at and
about the block yard. About 4.20 p.m. a sea threw down on the breakwater one of the
second tier of blocks on the parapet itself. Mr Stumbles and some of his men, including
the deceased, on observing this, went down the wharf to see what mischief was being done.
The deceased, it appears was a few yards ahead of the rest, and reached the railing at the
end of the wharf first, and stood by it, looking over the seas. Several others, besides
Mr. Stumbles and the deceased’s fellow workmen, were near the end, and seeing anothe!
r large wave coming stepped back a few yards, while the deceased remained at the railing.
The sea broke on the mole, a heavy mass of water shot across the end of the wharf and
carried Catlow over the side, and a good way into the harbour. Mr Tennent, secretary to
the Harbour Board, was among those present, and he ran back along the wharf to get boats
out to pick up the man. Mr. Bradley happened to be in his boat alongside the s.s. aupo,
and pulled away at once, so that very little time was lost. He rowed as directed by signs
from the steamer, and when rowing could not look ahead, but a man in the boat with him
once caught sight of Catlow for an instant only. Unfortunately by the time Bradley
reached the locality Catlow had sunk and was no more seen. The harbourmaster’s boat also
went out a very little later, and both boats cruised about for nearly an hour, but in
vain. Yesterday morning the two boats were out again, sweeping the bottom over the
locality where!
the unfortunate man was last seen, but without avail, and the search
will be resumed this morning. It is stated that Catlow was seen to be paddling for a time
(he is said to have been a good swimmer), but in the wrong direction, away from the wharf,
and if that was the case, it strengthens the probability that he was half stunned by the
blow of the water, or by being dashed by it against the wharf or a pile head as he went
over. The deceased was one of Mr. Stumble’s most valued workmen, and Mr. Stumble’s is
very much cut up about his death. He was a comparatively young man, in the prime of life,
and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves a widow and four young children to
mourn a sad bereavement.