John Sawyer
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport
A DEVONPORT SENSATION
A FISHERMAN MISSING
EMPTY BOAT FOUND
A painful sensation was caused late yesterday afternoon, when the news spread that Mr. John Sawyer, a well-known resident of Devonport, was missing. At 11 o’clock on Thursday morning Mr. Sawyer left the Mussel Rock in his 12-foot dinghy on a fishing expedition to Wright’s Island and expected to return early yesterday morning. As no tidings had been received, his father sent a message to his son (Alfred), asking him to go out in his motorboat Halcyon, to see whether he could get any trace of his brother. The Halcyon left at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, with only Mr. Alf Sawyer on board and after cruising about for two hours, she returned without any news of the missing man. He was unable to land at Wright’s Island.
The tide was on the flood when the unfortunate man left the harbour. At about 11.30 his brother went out on a fishing expedition, together with G. Foster and S. Bessell, who were all in separate boats and at noon on Thursday they were speaking to him. Mr. Alf Sawyer returned to the Mussel Rock at about 1 p.m., whilst the others remained out a couple of hours later. At 3 p.m. yesterday, word was received that Mr. Arthur Hart had found a boat, basket, net floats and a hat along the Pardoe beach. Mr. Alf Sawyer procured a bicycle and made haste to the spot and at once recognized the belongings as those of his brother. The boat came on to the beach at the east side of Spongy Creek, near the rifle range, where a paddle was also found. The boat was full a water and right side up clearly showing that she had swamped. There were no marks on her, nor was she in anyway damaged. The top of the well and the planks of the bottom were missing and these were subsequently discovered along the beach nearer Devonport. The paddle, hat, and two tin buoys were found in close proximity to the boat.
It is supposed that the accident took place early in the morning as a fresh west north west breeze sprang up, but the sea was not very rough. The missing man, when out fishing, generally makes for Wright’s Island and lands there for firewood, which is plentiful and it is considered that there is a slight chance of the boat having drifted off whilst its occupant was absent. When the Halcyon went out she made several detours of the island, but there were no sighs of anyone there. It is probable that had the missing man been there he would have sighted the boat and signaled to it, whilst the nets should have been seen from the Halcyon. A visit was made to where the nets are generally cast, but they could not be found.
The ill-fated boat was only two years old and was in good condition, but she was a trifle heavy in the head. It is asserted that when pulling her, her bows would dip and the opinion is held that she foundered whilst returning to the Mersey. Mr. Sawyer was a powerful swimmer and was quite at home on the water under any conditions. The gravest fears are entertained for his safety. There is a slight hope of him being on the island.
In addition to the search made by the Halcyon, Messrs. T. Savage and A. Hart in the motor launch Success made a cruise round the mouth of the river, but as it was just before dusk last night the search was an unsuccessful one. Last night Messrs. T. Munro, S. P. Griffiths, L. D. Windsor and O. Huxtable, left for Pardoe Beach in Mr. Griffiths motor car and they searched a mile along the beach from Arnwoods Hill to the eastwards. They found a bag full of wood, the “V” shaped piece of timber of the flooring and the top of the well and pieces of the boat. Search parties will leave Devonport at daylight this morning and a visit will be made to the island, whilst the Halcyon will cruise round in the vicinity of where the accident was supposed to have taken place. Every effort is being made to locate the missing man, whether he be dead or alive.
Mr. John Sawyer is one of the best-known men in the town, in which he has resided for over 25 years. His father until recently carried on a fish monger’s establishment in Rooke Street, but some two or three years ago he handed it over to his son. He was of a quiet unassuming nature and was generally respected. He was 32 years of age and leaves a young widow and child to share with his father and brother the anxious time they are now undergoing.
The North West Post 16th November 1912
DROWNING FATALITY
More Gear Found
Body Still Missing
It now seems quite certain that Mr. John Sawyer has been drowned, but despite the efforts of many searches no traces of the body are to be found. On Saturday Messrs. Alf Sawyer, F. Plummer and S. Bessell, in the motorboat Halcyon, left at daylight to search Wright’s Island, as it was thought that some of the missing gear might have been there. They searched the island, but failed to find any thing of the man or his belongings. Trooper Vane also made a search along the beach for some miles, but without result. Yesterday morning there was a large number of boats out near the spot where the accident was supposed to have taken place, whilst other parties were occupied in searching along the beach. Shortly before noon, Messrs. Alf Sawyer and S. Bessell came across another of the boat’s paddles, just opposite the quarry at Arnwood Hill, whilst a few yards further along they found the anchor of the boat. Another few yards, the nets and grab-all were located all tangles up, whilst a shark, seven feet in length, was in them. Those articles, which are the last of gear, were found at low water mark and at this spot the beach is rocky and does not slope much, it being a distance of quite 300 yards from high water mark to low water mark. The opinion was expressed that this is the scene of the capsize, but it is a difficult matter to make out how the anchor came off the boat, as it is fairly heavy, unless Mr. Sawyer was engaged in fishing for rock cod, which are plentiful in that locality.
All hope of Mr. Sawyer being found alive has vanished and a watch is now to be kept to locate the body when it comes to the surface. A report was in circulation in Devonport last night that the body had been recovered, but unfortunately there was no truth in the report.
The North West Post 18th November 1912
THE DROWNING FATALITY
Nothing further transpired yesterday as the result of searches made for the missing man, Mr. John Sawyer. Trooper Vane and a number of persons searched Pardoe Beach, the constable proceeding as far as Port Sorell Point. Mr. Alf Sawyer made another search outside the harbour, but it was also fruitless. It is considered that the body is not far away from where the anchor and nets were found, but the water is very dark. Had it been clear, the bottom could easily be seen, as the depth at that point is only from 8 to 10 feet. Dragging would be useless, as the bottom is rocky and uneven; therefore the only chance of recovering the body is when it comes to the surface on the ninth day. The sea lice outside the harbour are so thick and fierce that they have been known to leave only the bones of 40 dozen fish at the expiration of six hours. The animals are the only things to prevent this body from rising. The boat that the lost man went away in is now at the Mussel Rock and is practically only a shell, with a well in her. She is fairly broad, but is very light and with the gear that was aboard and the fish in the well in a heavy sea she would be like a cork. The well would also affect her buoyancy. Mr. Sawyer’s brother is of the opinion that the accident happened when the ill-fated man was coming home, as his nets were tied up. The lighthouse keeper at the Mersey Bluff states that the wind blew with hurricane force at about 1 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. on Friday morning and it came with sudden gusts that would quickly make a choppy sea. Mr. Isaacs, assistant lighthouse keeper was informed by Mr. Sawyer, senior at 4 a.m. on Friday morning that his son had failed to return. Mr. Isaacs was then attending to the leading lights and he returned to the Bluff at 4.30 a.m. He scanned the sea in the direction of the island with powerful binoculars, but could not see the boat. Searchers will still be kept up with the hope of a strong northeast wind washing the body up. There was a good sea last night, but the wind was hardly strong enough.
The North West Post Tuesday 19th 1912
THE DROWNING FATALITY
No further tidings have been heard of the missing man, Mr. John Sawyer, although Trooper Vane again searched the beaches yesterday in the hope of finding traces of the missing man. The searches will be continued for the next week or so, in anticipation of the body rising to the surface.
The North West Post 20th November 1912
THE DROWNING FATALITY
Mr. Sawyer Body Found.
Death through misadventure
All doubts as to the fate of Mr. John Sawyer, who has been missing since the 14th inst. were set at rest yesterday when his remains were found on Pardoe beach, about 200 yards to the east of where the boat was found, or just opposite Mr. W. E. Bovill’s residence. The first news that the body had been found was sent by Mr. E. Horne, who had been walking along the beach and telephoned from East Devonport to the police station stating that a body was floating about in the breakers opposite Mr. Bovill’s and that he had tried to reach it, but could not do so. He added that the body was working out seawards. This message was received shortly before 2 o’clock and Trooper Vane, Messrs. A. Sawyer, J. Hill and T. Smith proceeded to the spot in a vehicle. The tide was then on the ebb and a strong north easterly wind was blowing, bringing up a choppy sea. The party, on their arrival, found the body at the spot indicated, lying at high water mark and almost covered over with seaweed. The body was minus all the clothing and the right leg to the knee and the arm to the elbow were completely stripped of flesh, probably by the sea insects. The face was also almost completely eaten away and was hardly recognizable, but enough remained to enable the body to be identified as that of the missing man. The corpse was conveyed to the deceased’s late residence.
It is thought the body had been lying in the vicinity of where it was discovered for several days and had not been noticed on account of its being covered with kelp. The north-easterly swell yesterday is thought to have moved it higher up the beach and also removed some of the seaweed so that it was released and floated out with the tide. Everything now, with the exception of the clothes, has been recovered and it is some consolation to the sorrowing relatives to know that the mystery has been cleared up. The deceased was well known in Devonport and surrounding districts and was generally respected owing to his quiet and unassuming manner. Much sympathy is felt for the relatives in their sad bereavement, Mr. Sawyer was 33 years of age and leaves a widow and one child to mourn their loss, whilst his father, a brother and a sister are also left to share in regret for his untimely end. The deceased was a member of the Loyal Mersey Lodge of Protestant Alliance and members are requested to attend the funeral which leaves for the Bluff cemetery at 12.15 p.m. today.
THE INQUEST
An inquest on the remains was held at the Courthouse, Devonport, yesterday afternoon before the Coroner (Mr. H. H. McFie), Sergeant Cleveland conducting the proceedings.
Tasman Smith, labourer, residing at East Devonport, deposed that he assisted Trooper Vane and Messrs. Broad and Hill to lift a body into a cart at Pardoe beach that afternoon. There was no clothing on it. He had seen John Sawyer several times when alive and by the stamp of it considered it was Mr. Sawyer’s. Mr. Sawyer had a fair complexion and the body was that of a fair man, but he did not notice any hair on it. The body was a little decomposed and had apparently been dead for some little time. That was the same body that was lying at the premises of Mr. Sawyer senior. He saw Mr. Sawyer in his dingy the morning he was going out. That was 11 a.m., off the Mussel Rock. He remembered it being on a Thursday, about a fortnight ago. That was the day he saw him. He heard of them finding the dinghy on the Saturday in the same week. He was standing in the same week. He was standing on the jetty at East Devonport at the time.
John Payne, medical practitioner, residing at Devonport, deposed that he had examined the body of a male lying at Mr. Sawyer’s shed. There were no marks of violence upon it, but there were indications of it having come into contact with some hard substance such as rocks. He could not swear that drowning was the cause of death, as the usual signs were obliterated. The body was decomposed and had probably been in the water from ten to fourteen days. The action of the water and sea lice would account for the condition of ht body. The colour of the hair on parts of the body was a light reddish brown. The probable cause of death was drowning. He knew John Sawyer very well and the colour of the hair and the shoulders of the body corresponded with his. The marks were caused after death and there was probably none before death. The condition corresponded with one that had been in the water since Friday week.
Alfred Sawyer, a fisherman, residing at Devonport, deposed that he had a brother named John Sawyer, aged 33 years last birthday. He saw him last fifteen days ago on a Thursday, going from the mouth of the river to Wright’s Island in a dinghy with nets aboard. He was going fishing and it was his usual practice to do so. It was 11.30 a.m. when he saw him. He knew the dinghy of his brother, which was that found on Pardoe beach and to the east o Spongy Creek. That was found the day after he saw him. A paddle, hat and basket were found at the time and were taken to the house. The hat was his brother’s and also the basket. Two tin buoys were also found at the same time, also a chaff bag of wood. On the Saturday night he brought the dinghy home and on the Sunday he found four “graballs” about 400 yards from the quarry at low water mark and that was apparently where the accident took place as the nets had not shifted. He saw the body on his father’s premises. It was his brother John’s from the build. Of this he felt positive.
Edward Gerald Vane, trooper, stationed at Devonport East, gave evidence that in consequence of information received he proceeded to Pardoe beach between the quarry and Spongy Creek. Tasman Smith was not present. He found a dead body lying against some kelp on the beach. It was put in a cart and conveyed to the residence of Mrs. Sawyer. Witness was assisted by Tasman Smith. The body was decomposed and bore signs of having been in the water for some time. He knew John Sawyer and the body found, so far as stature and physique were concerned, it corresponded with that of John Sawyer. He remembered his boat and gear being found on the beach on the previous Saturday week. The dinghy had the appearance of having been washed up and was empty, the well top was missing. The gear belonging to the boat was subsequently found. The body would be about 200 yards from the quarry due east. He thought it had been under the kelp for three of four days and the heavy sea was responsible for its being uncovered. The reason he came to that conclusion was that the arm and leg exposed to the sea were relieved of flesh, whilst the other side remained intact.
The coroner’s verdict was that John Sawyer was found drowned on Pardoe beach, Devonport, on November 28 and that death had been caused by misadventure.
The North West Post 29 November 1912
FUNERAL
The funeral of the late John Sawyer will leave his late residence, Rooke Street, West Devonport, This Day, at 12.15 o’clock, for the Bluff Cemetery. Friends please accept this intimation.
The Brethren of the Loyal Mersey Lodge, No. 9, P.A.F.S. were requested to attend.
The Advocate Friday 29th November 1912
The funeral of the late Mr. John Sawyer, the victim of the recent drowning fatality, took place at the Mersey Bluff cemetery yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large and representative assemblage, demonstrating the esteem in which the deceased was held and the sympathy felt for the relatives. The cortege included some twenty members of the Loyal Mersey Lodge of the Protestant Alliance, of which the deceased was a member. The chief mourners were Messrs. S. Sawyer (father), Alfred Sawyer (brother), W. Graham (brother-in-law) and T. Maxfield (father-in-law). The Rev. H. B. Atkinson conducted the burial service, whilst the Rev. J. Ebery read the ritual of the Protestant Alliance. The coffin was carried to the grave by four members of the same society.
The North West Post 30th November 1912
Seth Sawyer
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport
SAWYER – The funeral of the late Mr. Seth Sawyer will leave the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Graham, Appledore Street, Devonport, to-morrow at 2.30 p.m., for the Bluff cemetery. Friends are invited to attend.
The Advocate 29th January 1924
The passing of an old identity of Devonport took place yesterday, when Mr. Seth Sawyer died at the age of 88 years. Deceased had been a resident of the town for over 40 years. One son and one daughter survive him, while a son was drowned near Wright’s Island some eight or nine years ago. The funeral is to leave the residence of the daughter, Mrs. Graham, Appledore Street, at 2.30 to-morrow, for the Bluff Cemetery.
The Advocate 29th January 1924
Charlotte Eliza Sawyer
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport
FUNERAL
SAWYER – The funeral of the late Mrs. Sawyer will leave her late residence, Rooke Street, for the Bluff cemetery at 3.15 p.m. on Sunday.
The North West Post 12th February 1910
The death occurred yesterday morning of Mrs. Sawyer, wife of Mr. C. Sawyer, of Rooke Street, Devonport, after an extended illness. The deceased was 65 years of age and had resided in Devonport for over 25 years. She leaves a grown-up family of two sons (John and Alfred) and one daughter (Mrs. Graham). The funeral will take place at the Bluff cemetery on Sunday afternoon.
The North West Post 12th February 1910
Yesterday afternoon the remains of the late Mrs. S. Sawyer, of Rooke Street, were laid to rest in the bluff cemetery, when about one hundred friends and relations followed the hearse as a last mark of respect to one who has always been known as a good, true woman and a kind and charitable neighbour in seasons of sickness and distress. In the absence of Canon de Coetlogon on rural deanery business, Major Sillett officiated at the grave.
The North West Post 14th February 1910
Mary Ann Sawyer
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport
SAWYER – The funeral of the late Mary Ann Sawyer will leave her late residence, Rooke Street, this day (Tuesday), at 4 p.m. for the Bluff Cemetery. Friends please accept this intimation.
The Advocate 4th November 1919
The late Mrs. Sawyer, who passed away at her residence, Rooke Street, on Monday morning from influenza took place at the Bluff Cemetery and was conducted by the Rev. G. Rowe. There was a large attendance, including members of the P.A.F.S., while the bereaved husband was the principal mourner. The carriers were Messrs. J. Oakley, H. W. McCall, A. Pendrey and M. Hadfield. Many very beautiful floral tributes were received.
The Advocate 5th November 1919