Albert Clapp

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Fisherman
• Baptism: 27 Nov 1836, Berrow, Somerset, England, UK; Address:
  St. Marys Church, Berrow, Somerset, England, UK
• Occupation: 28 Sep 1902, Berrow, Somerset, England, UK; Fisherman
• Residence: 28 Sep 1902, Berrow, Somerset, England, UK
• Inquest: 1 Oct 1902, Berrow, Somerset, England, UK

Notes:

Inquest:
The mystery of Berrow Sands - Inquest and verdict

Yesterday, Dr Samuel Craddock (Coroner) held an inquest at Unity Farm, Berrow, respecting the death of Mr and Mrs Albert Clapp, whose bodies were found on Berrow sands. Evidence of identification having been given by Mr George Clapp son of the deceased, the inquiry relating to Albert Clapp was proceeded with.

PC George Stevens of Burnham, said the body was found a mile from Berrow church and 60 yards within high water mark, on Sunday last. The nets were hung about a mile from his home, and the tide could reach them at two o'clock on the Sunday morning.

George Clapp, a son, produced a boot found in the mud belonging to his mother, and a lantern which had been used by her. Owing to the time of the tide his father would have to go to his nets at five or six O'clock on Saturday night. He had to go through mud which reached fully to his knees, and as the deceased suffered from defective sight, he probably lost his way and attempted to walk towards the incoming sea, instead of going homewards. It was a densely black night, with a heavy fog. The deceased should have reached home about eight o'clock.

Dr Reginald Wade stated that he had made a post-mortem examination and found the cause of death was drowning.

The Coroner remarked upon the coincidence of both persons being present in the mud, and said that while accuracy was impossible, there was little doubt that the deceased had lost his way and had certainly been drowned. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was found drowned on "Berrow Sands".

Evidence was then taken relative to the death of Elizabeth Clapp.

James Sharman deposed to finding the body 150 yards from the sand hills embedded in the sand and having on one boot only.

George Davis, of Brean, a boy, stated that at quarter to nine o'clock on Saturday he saw Mrs Clapp carrying two lanterns, lit, going towards the sands.

By the Coroner: He was sure of her identity. PC Parfitt said the body was found three quarters of a mile from that of her husband and 20 yards from the high water mark.

Dr Reginald Wade deposed that a post-mortem examination revealed that the heart was in a state of fatty degeneration. The heart was diseased. It was much enlarged and in a state of diastole. There were no signs of drowning and the immediate cause of death was the failure of the heart's action. He had attended her three weeks previously for disease of the heart. She must have made considerable exertion to reach her husband.

The Coroner referred to the determined efforts of the woman to reach her husband, and these with the excitement at his not returning, had brought on failure of the heart's action.

The jury returned a verdict that "Mrs Albert Clapp died suddenly owing to syncope of the heart, caused by over exertion".


Died:
Albert, a fisherman, died 28/9/1902 on Berrow seashore. Found drowned on sands. Inquest 1/10/1902. Buried in Berrow churchyard with wife Eliza, who died same night. On tombstone it says "In death not divided". Commemorated in song "On Berrow Sands"

Albert married Elizabeth Lee in 1857 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Elizabeth was born in 1834 in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK; died on 28 Sep 1902 in Berrow, Somerset, England, UK; was buried in Berrow, Somerset, England, UK. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Bessie Veale in 1894 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK. Bessie was born in 1872 in Wellington, Somerset, England, UK. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Merchant Seaman
• Baptism: 13 Feb 1895, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK

Osborne married Florence Rogers in 1920 in Axbridge, Somerset, England, UK. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]