86 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



years, Master of that pack. The date of his tragic death was 

 February 4th, 1869. 



There are many living who can remember that terrible day 

 when the greater part of Yorkshire was thrown into mourning, 

 and all were shocked and sad. Some of the rising generation, 

 and others to come, may be glad to know the particulars, even 

 if briefly told. I will therefore give a slight resume of the tragic 

 occurrence which made the Rev. Charles Slingsby owner of Scriven 

 Park after the death of his cousin, Mrs. Emma Louisa Slingsby. 



The hounds had met at Stainley House on February 4th, 

 1869, and were running a fox hard from Monkton Whin, when 

 it became necessary for the followers to cross the river Ure, at 

 all times dangerous, and doubly so at the moment, there being 

 a raging torrent and the banks all flooded. 



A rush was made for the private ferry belonging to the 

 Vyners of Newby Hall. In the hurry and excitement of the 

 moment thirteen men and eleven horses crowded into the boat, 

 which was in charge of two of the Newby gardeners and worked 

 by a chain : they are included in the thirteen men. This was 

 in excess of its proper carrying powers, yet all might have been 

 well had not " Saltfish," the horse ridden by the Master, kicked 

 out at the one ridden by Sir George Wombwell, which en- 

 deavoured to return the compliment. " Saltfish," thinking 

 such close quarters were not to his liking, promptly jumped 

 overboard with his rider ; the rest of the boat-load, without 

 thinking of the consequences, rushed over to that side, hoping to 

 be able to help Sir Charles : the result was the boat capsized. 



What a horrible scene, thirteen men and eleven horses 

 struggling and plunging about in the torrent ! The names of 

 the unfortunate people were : Sir Charles Slingsby, Bart., 

 M.F.H., Mr. Edward Lloyd of Lingcroft, Capt. Key, Major 

 Mussenden, Capt. Molyneux, R.N., Mr. Richard Meysey 

 Thompson, Mr. Clare Vyner, Mr. White, Sir George Wombwell, 

 Bart., Mr. James Robinson, William Orvis (kennel huntsman), 

 and Christopher and James Warriner, the two ferrymen. 



Six men lost their lives : Sir Charles Slingsby, Mr. Edward 

 Lloyd, Mr. James Robinson, William Orvis, and the two 

 ferrymen. Nine horses were drowned, the only two who escaped 

 being" Saltfish," who was the cause of the disaster, and ahorse 

 named " Woodpigeon," belonging to Mr. Meysey Thompson. 



