David Kewley

On the evening of Friday 18 October 1878, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company steamer Snaefell was in the process of docking in Douglas Harbour when one of her passengers, Dr Hemming,[15] fell off the ship and into the harbour.[15] On witnessing the event, despite the darkness, Dawsey immediately jumped into the water and made towards the man, managing to take him towards a ladder by which he was able to support himself and Dr Hemming.[15] After approximately 20 minutes a boat arrived and took both Dawsey and Dr Hemming to safety.[15] Reports state that Dr Hemming was the third person which Dawsey had rescued within four months.[16] For saving the life of Dr Hemming, Dawsey Kewley received his first award from the Royal Humane Society.[17]

On Saturday 2 August 1879, a harbour porter named Thomas Sheard fell into the water between two steamers which were docked alongside the Victoria Pier.[18] Again Dawsey immediately jumped into the water and performed a rescue, with complete disregard for his own safety.[18] The rescue of Sheard resulted in Dawsey receiving another award from the Royal Humane Society[18] accompanied by a written commendation on vellum:

"The Honorary Testimonial has been awarded to David Kewley by the Royal Humane Society, in recognition of his humane exertions on the 2nd day of August, 1879."

— Royal Humane Society (Instituted 1774). 4, Trafalgar Square, London W.C., 24th September, 1879.

The presentation was made by the High Bailiff of the Isle of Man at a ceremony on 25 October 1879.[3]

Another incident involving a harbour porter occurred in Douglas Harbour, again concerning the steamer Snaefell on Saturday 5 August 1882, a scene witnessed by hundreds of people.[19] The Snaefell had arrived from Liverpool and was in the process of discharging its passengers when the porter, who was making his way onto the ship, fell into the water and was in danger of being drowned. A passenger on board the steamer in turn leapt into the water so as to render assistance, but he in turn quickly got himself into trouble.[19] Kewley was alerted to the situation and jumped into the water and managed to support the two men until a rope was thrown enabling the men to be lifted from the water.[19]

A report of a further rescue was one of a small boy who had fallen into the inner harbour, Douglas, on Friday 30 May 1884.[20] The young boy, who had been playing in the vicinity of the steamer Tynwald,[20] fell into the water and due to an ebbing tide was being drawn under the vessel.[20] Dawsey managed to get to the young boy, after some initial trouble, and brought him safely to the surface and onwards to the shore.[20]

A strange irony is that on one occasion it was Dawsey's life which had to be saved.[21] The incident occurred on the evening of Thursday 25 September 1884, when the steamer Ben-my-Chree was securing alongside the harbour wall.[21] Dawsey was part of a team of dockers positioning the gangway to the vessel when he slipped over, his head striking the Ben-my-Chree's sponson, and subsequently fell into the water.[21] Temporarily stunned, Dawsey sunk beneath the water, which led to the Ben-my-Chree's Third Officer, Dalzell Torrance, jumping into the water in order to save Dawsey. In time a rope was thrown to Third Officer Torrance, enabling him and the unconscious Dawsey to be pulled to the steps of the pier.[21]

The saving of Dawsey was the fourth time Dalzell Torrance had performed a life saving act.[21]

Together with another Douglas boatman, John Lewin, Dawsey saved the life of a man who'd jumped off the Victoria Pier on Saturday 28 July 1888. Intent on self-harm, the man initially refused assistance which led to Dawsey jumping into the water followed by Lewin.[11] The man was in great difficulty in the water, however Dawsey and Lewin were able to support him and take him to the shore, from where he was taken to hospital.[11] In recognition for this rescue, both John Lewin and Dawsey received bronze medals from the Royal Humane Society.[22] The medals were presented to John Lewin and Dawsey by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir Spencer Walpole, at a reception on 14 November 1888. A Testimonial Fund had also been created in recognition of Dawsey's bravery which had, through public donations, raised the amount of £41 and this was also presented to him at the ceremony.[14]

A 1900 picture of some Isle of Man Steam Packet Company landsmen. Back row (left to right) Bob Howe, Willie Higgins, Kelly, John Higgins, Paul Bridson. Front row (left ot right) "Dawsey" Kewley, "Bunty" Cain. Three of those pictured were involved in the 1893 rescue of John O'Neil.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 9 August 1893, a young boy fell into the sea whilst fishing on the Victoria Pier and was subsequently rescued by Dawsey.[23]

On the night of Wednesday 13 September 1893 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company steamer, Peveril, was involved in a collision with a small boat as she was making her way from the Victoria Pier to the inner harbour at Douglas. The small boat, named the Daisy, was on its way to put a light on the yacht Vision when she cut across the Peveril's path, and was cut in two. The solitary person on board the Daisy, John "Kitty" O'Neil, jumped clear just before impact and was subsequently picked out of the water by three dockers; Dawsey, Paul Bridson and another man named Higgin, who took to a small boat in order to carry out the rescue.[24]

The funeral of Dawsey Kewley took place on the afternoon of Sunday 27 March 1904. It was an occasion of a demonstration of popular respect for a brave seaman, who had done so much for others in his lifetime.[25] Led by members of the Order of Foresters (Star of Mona), of which Dawsey was a member, and the Douglas Town Band, the cortege left his home at 1, Shaw's Brow, followed by a very large crowd to St Matthew's Church,[25] Douglas, where Dawsey had for many years been one of the foremost members of the congregation. The service was conducted by the Reverend T.A. Taggart, to whom Dawsey was known personally.[25] Those attending Dawsey's funeral included a large representation of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company led by Dalrymple Maitland and William Hutchinson[25] as well as the Mayor of Douglas, members of the Lifeboat Committee, the Douglas Swimming Club and the Victoria Swimming Club. Following the service Dawsey's body was taken for interment at Braddan Parish Cemetery.[25] Reports of the funeral state that the crowd of mourners stretched from the cemetery all the way back to the Quarterbridge.[25]

Dawsey's death was followed by that of his daughter, Frances Kewley, who died less than two months after him and was in turn interred with her father.[26] Dawsey had been pre-deceased by two of his children a son, David, and another daughter, Mary, both of whom had died in infancy.[26] Dawsey was survived by his wife and another son.[27]

The headstone on Dawsey's grave is that of Manx Runic Cross from a design by Manx artist Archibald Knox;[26] the work being carried out by Thomas Quayle & Sons, Douglas, Isle of Man.[28]

Monument to the heroism of Dawsey Kewley, Douglas, Isle of Man.