Preece Family Tree

SAD FATALITY AT LANGLAND.

MR COLLWYN LEWIS CAUGHT BY THE UNDERCURRENT.

INQUEST AND VERDICT.

Langland Bay has claimed another victim. As if the list were not already long enough! And this time the sorrow of the people of Swansea is intensified by the fact that the victim, Mr Collwyn Lewis, Secretary to the Intermediate and Technical Schools, was one of the most popular and promising young men in the district. He held a position which taxed his body and mind. But he loved his work, and none more proudly pointed to the successes of the schools and none more keenly felt disappointments. What would have been to many an arduous and trying work was to Mr. Collwyn Lewis a labour of love. He was a bright, sociable, and amiable young fellow, and it was good to know him. He won the respect and confidence of his Governors, who now lament the loss of a faithful and painstaking secretary. For some years Mr. Lewis took an active part in the Scientific Society, and it was due very largely to his labours as secretary a few years ago that the Society attained almost high-water mark. Of a sanguine disposition, deceased looked forward to a successful career. But alas! a cruel fate has decreed it otherwise. To the bereaved we extend our deepest sympathy. The father, Mr Evan Lewis, has been Curator of the Royal Institution of South Wales for over thirty years. He was proud of his boy, and so his grief is all the more intense. There is no doubt that Langland Bay is very dangerous, at certain tides, to even the strongest of swimmers. A powerful undercurrent or back-wash prevails after most storms and high tides and it is then that bathers, be they ever so cautious, should not venture out. These dangerous under-currents are always proclaimed by a low rumbling noise - by a warning note which we fear is not heeded as it should be. Mr. Collwyn Lewis was drowned on Sunday alternoon last. The news of the sad fatality spread with surprising rapidity, and caused a painful sensation throughout the district. The whole of the distressing circumstances were given at the inquest on Monday, a report of which appears below.

THE INQUEST.

The inquest was held at the Osborne Hotel on Monday afternoon, before Mr. F. H. Glynn Price, County Coroner. The foreman of the jury was Mr. C. W. Jones, Merthyr.

Evidence of identification was given by Mr. Idris Evan Lewis, brother or the deceased. He said his brother was 28 years of age. He last saw him about one o'clock on Sunday morning, when he lunched at home. After lunch he left home, stating that he intended visiting some friends at Mumbles. He was then in his usual health and spirits. At six o'clock a messenger came and informed him that his brother was exceedingly unwell at Langland. He immediately set off in a conveyance, but upon arriving at the Bay, he found him dead. Deceased had been in good health for the last 13 years.

Mr. Stanley Mansel Jones, 3, Brunswick-place, Swansea, stated that he was bathing with deceased at about four on Sunday evening. Whilst in the water, he felt a strong under-current running, and, after shouting to deceased, he turned to go out; but deceased replied, "Stick to it, old chap." Almost immediately afterwards deceased shouted that he was "caught." Witness at once ran for the life-buoy, at the same time calling for help, and upon his return a young man named Nichols took it and went to the assistance of deceased, whilst he held on to the end of the rope. Deceased sank when Nichols had got within a few yards of him. Replying to a juror, witness said they bathed only a few yards from the edge of the water, but the waves were high. They had only been in the water about four minutes when deceased cried out that he was caught. The body might have been in the water about 20 minutes. It was washed out first, and then brought in shore by the current. It would have been impossible for him to have helped the deceased, on account of the undercurrent. Besides, he could not swim much, whilst he understood deceased was a strong swimmer.

Frederick Henry Nichols, of Dorset House, Bryn-road, Swansea, said that he was bathing at Langland about 4.45, when a young man named Fred Lewis drew his attention to deceased who, he saw, was on his back moving as if swimming. He heard a remark from someone as to deceased being all right, and he replied, "Yes, he's all right," his reason for saying so being that the water was shallow where deceased was. He saw nothing more until he observed a person coming with a life-buoy. The buoy was given him, and he swam out with it. After going some distance, he saw the back of deceased's head some yards away from him. He continued swimming, but when he reached the place where he expected to find deceased, he saw no signs of him. Not being a strong swimmer, he was then obliged to turn back. He estimated the distance he had swum at 50 yards. He did not feel any current.

Wm. Howells, who keeps a refreshment house at Langland Bay, deposed that noticing a boat being taken down towards the water, he ran down to see what was the matter. He saw Mr. Hemmings, coal merchant who lived near the Bay, taking off his coat, and was told that someone was drowning, Together with Mr. Hemmings, he rushed into the water, and they had not gone very far when his companion stumbled over a rock. Just then the body of deceased came up between them. He assisted Mr. Hemmings (who was just out of his depth) to his feet, and they carried the body out of the water, and laid it upon the sand, where efforts were made towards re-animation. The sea was not very rough, nor was there any under-current running.

In answer to a juror, witness said he could not say what arrangements the District Council made about the boat which was kept in the Bay. If the boat had been afloat the man in charge would have done all he could to save deceased.

Dr. Arthur Lloyd Jones. Rotherslade-lane, said he was called to the Bay about 5.30 on Sunday evening. He there saw deceased on the sands, surrounded by a party of helpers, who had apparently been doing everything possible towards re-animation. He found him lifeless, and not responsive to any stimulus or further effort, which was continued for an hour. He attributed death to suffocation by drowning, and he opined that it was hastened by deceased having had a heavy meal, a portion of which become [sic] impacted in his wind-pipe.

A Juror: Would you suggest that that man could have died solely from drowning?

Witness: The only explanation I can give from the evidence, and the appearance of the deceased when found, is that he must have been alarmed at something like a current or backwater, and having got his mouth under the water, he swallowed some. Now people frequently forget that salt water acts as an emetic, and so I think that deceased must have vomited, and whilst doing so took a deep inhalation, which brought the food back his lungs. He did not think deceased's heart failed him.

Hy. Smith, Chapel-street, was called to speak of the arrangements for the protection of bathers. He said he was employed by the District Council to take charge of the boat for the safeguarding of bathers. His hours on week-days were from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 to 12. He considered it was too rough on Sunday to launch the boat, but it was not dangerous for bathing, as there was no current running.

P. C. Roberts deposed to finding on the body of deceased a watch (which had stopped at 5.5), and other articles, which he produced.

The Coronor having summoned up, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was due to suffocation, caused by the lungs becoming impacted whilst bathing.

RESOLUTION OF SCHOOL GOVERNORS.

A meeting of the Governors of the Swansea Intermediate and Technical Schools was held in the Guildhall on Monday afternoon. Present: Mr. R. Martin (Chairman), Dr. Rawlings, Mr. W. Watkins (Mayor), Mr W. Williams, Mr. Fred. Rocke, Mr. W. Walters, J.P., Ald. Gwilym Morgan, Mr. T. Freeman, Mrs. R. Martin, Mrs. T. Freeman, Miss Broche, Miss Benger (Principal Girls' School), and Mr. D. C. Johns (Clerk).

Mr Martin paid a high tribute to the zeal and devotion of Mr. Collwyn Lewis, whose sad death he greatly deplored. He devoted heart and soul to the work of the schools. No work was too great, or any sacrifices too much to promote the interests of the schools. He (Mr. Martin) knew no official more devoted to his duties, and by his death they had lost a valuable and faithful secretary. He moved a resolution which recorded the Governors' high sense of the deceased's services, and their deep sympathy with the bereaved parents.

The Mayor seconded.

Mrs. Freeman said that Mr. Lewis was a most excellent Secretary. He worked hard, and was always most kind. She voted for the appointment, and if every appointment was justified so well, it would be a great pleasure to all.

Miss Benger said that many men did their work carefully and enthusiastically, but Mr. Collwyn Lewis did more: he was ever ready to help those around him. She deeply deplored his death, and she could not refrain from bearing testimony, not only to his devotion to duty, but to his invariable kindness.

The resolution was carried in silence, and on the suggestion of Mrs. Freeman, it was decided to send a wreath.

THE FUNERAL.

The respect and esteem in which the late Mr. Collwyn Lewis was held, and the poignancy of the sorrow felt at his sad death, were evidenced in a striking manner yesterday (Thursday), when the funeral took place. Blinds were down in almost every house in Walter-road and Mansel-street, and along the whole line of route taken by the cortege there were abundant manifestations of regret and sympathy. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths, sent by the following: Father, mother, and brother; Mr. and Mrs. J. Preece, Porth; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. John, Ynishir; Miss Mary John, Cymmer; The Swansea Scientific Society; the Misses Bertha, Flossie, and Annie Rowlands, Cardiff; Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Eton Grove; Mr. and Mrs. J. White, Windsor Lodge; the Misses Langdon; Mr. and Mrs. Aynsley, Lansdown-terrace; Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Davies, Gwydr Gardens; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Lamb, Walter-road; Mrs. J. Lewis, Oxford-street; Mr. Arthur Luty; Mr. Bracewell, Mumbles; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis, Mumbles, the Governors of the Swansea Intermediate School; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Arthur Davies, the boys of the Swansea Grammar School, Miss Binger, Swansea High School; Mr. Bowman, do.; Mr. and Mrs. Marley, do.; the staff of the Swansea High School; Mrs. Jenkins, Osborne Hotel, Langland; Mr. George Jones, Mr. D. M, Lewis, Mr. Fred. T. Jenkins, Mr. Ivor Davies, Mr. B. Chalke, Mr. Sid Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Williams, Mr. C. H. Glascodine, Mr. S. Mansel Jones, the Walter-road Congregational Church, Mr. and Mrs. R. Lewis Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard, Mr. and Mrs. David Roberts, Mr. Kenyon Clegg, Mr. James Brown ("Cambrian"), the President and Council of the Royal Institute of South Wales, Mr. and Mrs. J. Roberts, Cleveland-terrace; Mr. Willie Richard and Sidney I Harris, Miss John and Evan Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. Nash and Clem, etc.

The chief mourners were Mr. Evan Lewis (father), Mr. Idris Evan Lewis, B.A. (brother), Mr. Evan Idris Lewis (cousin), Mr. Tom John, Llwynypia (cousin), Mr. J. Preece. Porth (cousin). The cortege left Walter-road shortly after two o'clock. The attendance of friends and sympathisers was large and representative. We noticed, among others, Mr. R. Martin (Chairman Intermediate and Technical Committee), Mr. Richard Lewis; Mr. John White. J.P., Mr. Aynsley, and Mr. Meredith (Ben Evans and Co.); Mr. John Roberts, Mr. D. Roberts. Mr. D. Thomas. M.E., Ald. John Griffiths, Mr. Evan Griffiths, Ald. Gwilym Morgan, Mr. Halden (Clerk of School Board), Rev. Evan Jenkins, Dr. E. le Cronier Lancaster, Mr. J. R. Leaver, Mr. Charles Davies, Mr. W. Terrill, and Mr. James Brown ("The Cambrian"), representing the Swansea Scientinc Society; Mr. John Powell, Mr. D. C. Johns (Town Clerk's Office), Mr. W. A. Davies (solicitor), Mr W. A. Davies, Mr. F. C. Eddershaw, Mr. W. C. Jenkins. Mr. T. Rees ("Daily Leeder" [sic]), Mr. A. Hoskins, Mr. Rouse, junr., Mr. Haydn Evans, Mr. J. P. Long, Mr. S. P. Wills, junr., Mr. J. T. Davies (metal broker), Mr. Brace, junr., Mr. Ernest Jones (Castle Square). Mr. Julius Smith. Mr. M. Williams. Mr. Walter Lewis, Mr. W. J. Lloyd (chemist). Mr. Parson (commercial traveller), Mr. Alfred Davies, representatives of the Indefatigable Lodge of Freemasons (of which deceased was a member); Mr. H. J. Thomas, Mr Davies (Wind-street), Mr. W. E. Harris, Mr. Sid Harris, Mr David Williams (late Principal Swansea Training College). Mr. Percy Bracewell, masters at the Swansea Intermediate and technical Schools, etc. The service at the Danygraig Cemetery was reverently and impressively conducted by the Rev. Evan Jenkins, pastor of Walter-road Congregational Church. In the course of a brief address, the rev. gentleman, who was labouring under deep emotion, referred to the bright young life that had been cut down in a most sudden and unexpected way. The life of their dear departed friend was a life of singular devotion to duty, a life that endeared itself to a large circle of friends. The scene at the graveside was very affecting, the bereaved father seemed overcome with grief, and deep was the sympathy felt for him and his in their great hour of tribulation.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Pritchard, Oxford-street.

At the Swansea Board of Guardians yesterday, a vote of sympathy was passed with Mr. and Mrs. Evan Lewis in the loss of their son.