Diver William Newton
Diver William Newton, HMS Magnificent (12/09/1908)
H.M.S. Magnificent
Daily Record - Monday 14 September 1908
DIVER'S HORRIBLE DEATH. BREAKS ADRIFT AT BOTTOM OF THE SEA. While diving operations were proceeding on Saturday on H.M.S. Magnificent, lying with the Home Fleet Cromarty, a regrettable accident occurred hereby a carpenter's mate named Newton, belonging to Paisley, lost his life. It appears that Newton, who was clad in diving costume, weighted with about 56 lb of lead, was engaged at the ship's bottom clearing seaweed and debris which had accumulated in the inlets which convey the water to the condensers. When the ship began to swing round with the ebbing tide the diver's life-line was fouled, and the communication rope snapped. The men above in the ship's cutter, who were engaged in pumping air, were horrified to find that their companion had broken adrift, and being aware that he had no possible chance of saving himself, recognised that he had gone to a horrible death at the bottom of the sea. Immediately after the accident another diver was sent down to try and discover him, but owing to the changed position of the ship he was unable to locate his body for the time being. The deceased was a popular man on board, and his sad end cast a gloom over his shipmates. The usual inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the fatality.
DIVER'S HORRIBLE DEATH. BREAKS ADRIFT AT BOTTOM OF THE SEA. While diving operations were proceeding on Saturday on H.M.S. Magnificent, lying with the Home Fleet Cromarty, a regrettable accident occurred hereby a carpenter's mate named Newton, belonging to Paisley, lost his life. It appears that Newton, who was clad in diving costume, weighted with about 56 lb of lead, was engaged at the ship's bottom clearing seaweed and debris which had accumulated in the inlets which convey the water to the condensers. When the ship began to swing round with the ebbing tide the diver's life-line was fouled, and the communication rope snapped. The men above in the ship's cutter, who were engaged in pumping air, were horrified to find that their companion had broken adrift, and being aware that he had no possible chance of saving himself, recognised that he had gone to a horrible death at the bottom of the sea. Immediately after the accident another diver was sent down to try and discover him, but owing to the changed position of the ship he was unable to locate his body for the time being. The deceased was a popular man on board, and his sad end cast a gloom over his shipmates. The usual inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the fatality.
North Star and Farmers' Chronicle - Thursday 17 September 1908
THE FLEET AT CROMARTY DIVER'S TRAGIC DEATH
The fifth Cruiser Squadron arrived at the Cromarty Firth on Saturday and anchored at Cromarty in proximity to the Nore Division of the Home Fleet. This week the vessels commenced firing and other exercises in the Moray Firth. The vessels of the Home Fleet will be engaged in battle practice for the next few days. On Monday some destroyers were coaled at Invergordon from the Admiralty Depot.
Sad Drowning Accident On Saturday afternoon;
Chief carpenter's mate Newton, H.M.S. Magnificent, was drowned while engaged in diving work underneath the battleship. He was cleaning the tubes of the condensing apparatus on the bottom of the vessel, which was lying near Cromarty. The tide, which was flowing past the vessel at considerable pace, changed, and the vessel quickly slued. In doing so her cable came in contact with the diver's air-pipe and telephonic communication cord, with the result that they were severed. The unfortunate man in the diving dress was instantly suffocated. The body was found with the hands clutching tightly the cable. An additional pathos was imparted to the circumstances which surrounded his death, when it was remembered that he was married only last Christmas. A gloom was cast over the fleet. The deceased belonged to Paisley. The funeral took place at Cromarty on Monday and was one of the most impressive ever witnessed in the town. The coffin was of polished oak, and was covered with a large number of beautiful wreaths. The father of the deceased was present.
THE FLEET AT CROMARTY DIVER'S TRAGIC DEATH
The fifth Cruiser Squadron arrived at the Cromarty Firth on Saturday and anchored at Cromarty in proximity to the Nore Division of the Home Fleet. This week the vessels commenced firing and other exercises in the Moray Firth. The vessels of the Home Fleet will be engaged in battle practice for the next few days. On Monday some destroyers were coaled at Invergordon from the Admiralty Depot.
Sad Drowning Accident On Saturday afternoon;
Chief carpenter's mate Newton, H.M.S. Magnificent, was drowned while engaged in diving work underneath the battleship. He was cleaning the tubes of the condensing apparatus on the bottom of the vessel, which was lying near Cromarty. The tide, which was flowing past the vessel at considerable pace, changed, and the vessel quickly slued. In doing so her cable came in contact with the diver's air-pipe and telephonic communication cord, with the result that they were severed. The unfortunate man in the diving dress was instantly suffocated. The body was found with the hands clutching tightly the cable. An additional pathos was imparted to the circumstances which surrounded his death, when it was remembered that he was married only last Christmas. A gloom was cast over the fleet. The deceased belonged to Paisley. The funeral took place at Cromarty on Monday and was one of the most impressive ever witnessed in the town. The coffin was of polished oak, and was covered with a large number of beautiful wreaths. The father of the deceased was present.
Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 19 September 1908
The above is a portrait of Mr. William Newton, (photo was very poor) who met his death so tragically last Saturday afternoon while engaged in diving operations from H.M.S. Magnificent, lying with the Home Fleet off Cromarty. Deceased was the second son of Mr. William Newton, licensed grocer, Glen-street, Paisley, and was educated in the North Public School and Grammar School, were he proved himself a good scholar.
On leaving school, he served his apprenticeship as a carpenter in Messrs. Fleming & Ferguson's works and as a student in the Technical College he showed his diligence and fitness for his future calling by taking high certificates in naval architecture. In outdoor sports he was an enthusiastic devotee, playing goalkeeper for the now defunct Zingari football team, which met at Meikleriggs, while he was a splendid swimmer and an active member of one of the local acquatic clubs. Church work also claimed his attention, Newton being for some years a Sunday school teacher in the North Parish, where his geniality and sociability, combined with his musical talents, made him a prominent figure at all the social gatherings.
On joining the Navy, Newton made rapid progress in qualifying as a carpenter. He was determined to succeed, and at the time of his death had passed his examination and was waiting appointment to a vacancy. He was the youngest carpenter in the Navy, and his promising career, so sadly ended, has caused sincere and deep sorrow among a wide circle in town and among the large crew on the Magnificent, where, by his cheerful and obliging disposition, he made himself very popular.
As already mentioned, the deceased was at diving work when he was killed. Attired in the regulation dress, weighted with about 56 lb. lead, he was engaged at the ship's bottom clearing seaweed and debris which had gathered in the inlets which convey the water to the condensers. It appeared that when the big cruiser began to swing round with the ebbing tide the diver's "life line" was fouled, and the communication rope snapped. Those above in the ship's cutter, who were pumping air, were startled to find that their comrade had broken adrift, and with the weight round his body they realised that he had gone to the bottom of the sea with no hope of saving himself. Half the divers of the fleet then went down for the body, which was discovered three hours after the accident.
On Monday, Newton's mortal remains were consigned to their last resting-place in Cromarty Cemetery, and a melancholy interest attached to the obsequies of account of the regrettable circumstances under which the lamented and brave carpenter met his death. The occasion was a memorable one to the mourners and the spectators, who reverently uncovered and displayed other manifestations of respect as the cortege passed. Newton was given a Naval funeral, and detachments representing the Cyclops, Agamemnon, and Magnificent were present. Rear-Admiral Colville and Captain Charleton, of the Magnificent, and other officers, also attended. The shops were shut during the passing of the cortege. The father of the deceased and a Paisley friend were the chief mourners.
A striking feature of the procession, and one that testified to the wide popularity of Carpenter Newton, was the number of wreaths. These tributes were presented by the captain and officers of H.M.S. Magnificent, the ship's company, the members of the Petty Officers' Club, the non-commissioned officers and men and band of the Royal Marine Department, the chief carpenter and carpenter's staff, the chief petty officers, chief and leading stokers, and the stokers. A wreath was also sent by the officers and men of H.M.S. Agamemnon. The coffin, which was of oak, was made by deceased's shipmates, who were deeply affected by the sad occurrence.
Rev. James Young, B.D., in the North Parish Church on Sunday last, made an appropriate and sympathetic reference to Newton in the course of prayer. Deceased, who was only in his twenty-seventh year, leaves a sorrowing widow, and is mourned by father and mother and a large family of brothers and sisters.
The above is a portrait of Mr. William Newton, (photo was very poor) who met his death so tragically last Saturday afternoon while engaged in diving operations from H.M.S. Magnificent, lying with the Home Fleet off Cromarty. Deceased was the second son of Mr. William Newton, licensed grocer, Glen-street, Paisley, and was educated in the North Public School and Grammar School, were he proved himself a good scholar.
On leaving school, he served his apprenticeship as a carpenter in Messrs. Fleming & Ferguson's works and as a student in the Technical College he showed his diligence and fitness for his future calling by taking high certificates in naval architecture. In outdoor sports he was an enthusiastic devotee, playing goalkeeper for the now defunct Zingari football team, which met at Meikleriggs, while he was a splendid swimmer and an active member of one of the local acquatic clubs. Church work also claimed his attention, Newton being for some years a Sunday school teacher in the North Parish, where his geniality and sociability, combined with his musical talents, made him a prominent figure at all the social gatherings.
On joining the Navy, Newton made rapid progress in qualifying as a carpenter. He was determined to succeed, and at the time of his death had passed his examination and was waiting appointment to a vacancy. He was the youngest carpenter in the Navy, and his promising career, so sadly ended, has caused sincere and deep sorrow among a wide circle in town and among the large crew on the Magnificent, where, by his cheerful and obliging disposition, he made himself very popular.
As already mentioned, the deceased was at diving work when he was killed. Attired in the regulation dress, weighted with about 56 lb. lead, he was engaged at the ship's bottom clearing seaweed and debris which had gathered in the inlets which convey the water to the condensers. It appeared that when the big cruiser began to swing round with the ebbing tide the diver's "life line" was fouled, and the communication rope snapped. Those above in the ship's cutter, who were pumping air, were startled to find that their comrade had broken adrift, and with the weight round his body they realised that he had gone to the bottom of the sea with no hope of saving himself. Half the divers of the fleet then went down for the body, which was discovered three hours after the accident.
On Monday, Newton's mortal remains were consigned to their last resting-place in Cromarty Cemetery, and a melancholy interest attached to the obsequies of account of the regrettable circumstances under which the lamented and brave carpenter met his death. The occasion was a memorable one to the mourners and the spectators, who reverently uncovered and displayed other manifestations of respect as the cortege passed. Newton was given a Naval funeral, and detachments representing the Cyclops, Agamemnon, and Magnificent were present. Rear-Admiral Colville and Captain Charleton, of the Magnificent, and other officers, also attended. The shops were shut during the passing of the cortege. The father of the deceased and a Paisley friend were the chief mourners.
A striking feature of the procession, and one that testified to the wide popularity of Carpenter Newton, was the number of wreaths. These tributes were presented by the captain and officers of H.M.S. Magnificent, the ship's company, the members of the Petty Officers' Club, the non-commissioned officers and men and band of the Royal Marine Department, the chief carpenter and carpenter's staff, the chief petty officers, chief and leading stokers, and the stokers. A wreath was also sent by the officers and men of H.M.S. Agamemnon. The coffin, which was of oak, was made by deceased's shipmates, who were deeply affected by the sad occurrence.
Rev. James Young, B.D., in the North Parish Church on Sunday last, made an appropriate and sympathetic reference to Newton in the course of prayer. Deceased, who was only in his twenty-seventh year, leaves a sorrowing widow, and is mourned by father and mother and a large family of brothers and sisters.
Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 19 September 1908
THE TRAGIC DEATH of Mr. William Newton, carpenter's mate on H.M.S. Magnificent, is deeply deplored in the north end, where the boyhood days of this promising young seaman were spent. In the North Public School he was a leader, admired and respected in the playground, and his pluck, a distinct characteristic of him, found an outlet in diving achievements at the Corporation Baths. He was a good swimmer, a genial fellow in company, ever ready to oblige with his violin at socials, and these qualities did not leave him when he entered the Navy, the humble sailor when requiring tools finding him a helpful and painstaking friend. At the time of the accident, one of the crew of another warship, who is also a Paisley native, was proceeding to the Magnificent to spend the afternoon ashore with Newton.
THE TRAGIC DEATH of Mr. William Newton, carpenter's mate on H.M.S. Magnificent, is deeply deplored in the north end, where the boyhood days of this promising young seaman were spent. In the North Public School he was a leader, admired and respected in the playground, and his pluck, a distinct characteristic of him, found an outlet in diving achievements at the Corporation Baths. He was a good swimmer, a genial fellow in company, ever ready to oblige with his violin at socials, and these qualities did not leave him when he entered the Navy, the humble sailor when requiring tools finding him a helpful and painstaking friend. At the time of the accident, one of the crew of another warship, who is also a Paisley native, was proceeding to the Magnificent to spend the afternoon ashore with Newton.
West Lothian Courier - Friday 25th September 1908
A DIVER'S TRAGIC DEATH. --Mr Wm. Newton, who is well known in Bathgate and district, met with a tragic end recently while engaged in diving operations from H.M.S. Magnificent" lying with the Home Fleet off Cromarty. He was the second son of Mr William Newton, licensed grocer, Glen Street, Paisley, and was educated in the North Public School and Grammar School. He was the youngest carpenter in the Navy, and his promising career, so sadly ended, has caused sincere and deep regret among a wide circle of friends.
A DIVER'S TRAGIC DEATH. --Mr Wm. Newton, who is well known in Bathgate and district, met with a tragic end recently while engaged in diving operations from H.M.S. Magnificent" lying with the Home Fleet off Cromarty. He was the second son of Mr William Newton, licensed grocer, Glen Street, Paisley, and was educated in the North Public School and Grammar School. He was the youngest carpenter in the Navy, and his promising career, so sadly ended, has caused sincere and deep regret among a wide circle of friends.
ADM 188/524 Register of Service
ADM 104: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries
Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936
Memorial
|
Photos of the grave of William Newton in the Cromarty Easter Burial Ground, Scotland. Photos taken by Flora Thomson.
IN
MEMORY OF WILLIAM NEWTON LATE OF HMS MACNIFICENT ACCIDENTLY DROWNED AT CROMARTY ON 12th SEPTEMBER 1908 AGED 27 YEARS -------------- ERECTED BY HIS FATHER |
