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Newspapers - Nottingham
Articles from the Nottinghamshire Guardian
A number of articles from 1850 show the consequences of bare knuckle boxing, as they detail two fights which ended with the death of one of the combatants. Boatman George Thoms killed Henry Flowers and was found guilty of manslaughter, for which he received three days' imprisonment. In the other case, Richard Hall was also found guilty, and received one month's imprisonment.
Given that the only source of heat was an open fire, it is perhaps not surprising that there are a number of cases (and not just here in Nottingham) where clothes caught fire, causing serious burns.
Seven year old Charles Walker from Beeston was found destitute outside the Derby Arms, after wandering from home. He was sent to the Workhouse until his father claimed him.
In September 1852, Thomas Derby died of intoxication, having consumed at least half a pint of gin as well as some ale. The landlord of the Ragged Staff carried him out of the pub and left him on the doorstep, where he went to sleep, and was later found dead by the local copper.
In May 1852, Emma Lewis drowned her infant son in the canal.
In October 1854, there was a drought which impeded the navigation of the Trent, and about 250 boats were grounded upon "Thrumpton Shoal", and the process of getting them moving again proved to be something of a spectator sport!
November 1854 details the accidental drowning of a boatman, George Hudson, and records "the deceased's wife had the week previously destroyed herself with poison, but this circumstance did not appear to depress him to any considerable extent".
In December 1856, 6 year old Sarah Simpson burnt to death when her clothes caught fire - a not uncommon occurrence in the days of open coal fires.
From September 1861, a description of canal tunnels and the legging process.
"The canal tunnels are made of brick, and are little, if at all, larger than a sewer. The tunnels are so constructed that horse power is no use. A board is placed on either side of the boat, and on each boat lies a man who places his feet against the wall of the tunnel and thus pushes the boat along".
And there were other dangers.
April 1863 records the death of 6 year old Stephen Greenway, who fell into a tank of hot pitch when playing on a wharf.
There are a number of cases where boatmen were accused of stealing rope. The cases seem to hinge on whether boatmen had the right to sell old rope, known as "fitchett" in the trade. This privilege was given to them by some boat masters and boat owners, but not by others.
