The Rev. Charles Slingsby 95 



since the granting of the first baronetcy there have been 

 seven generations of the family at Scriven, and no fewer than 

 five of the holders of the title died unmarried or without 

 children. 



Beyond the heirlooms in the house of Scriven there is little 

 to show of its associations with mediaeval times. 



In Sir Henry Slingsby's time (the Royalist), in his diary he 

 refers to " that rotten house at Scriving." So unsatisfactory 

 was it at that time, that it became necessary to borrow furniture 

 from his tenants before he, his wife, and daughter could stay 

 there on taking possession. 



I must refer again for a moment to the ferry-boat disaster 

 when Sir Charles Slingsby lost his life, as I have heard so many 

 different versions of the accident and what everybody did in the 

 excitement of the moment, I hardly know what to believe. One 

 eye-witness told me Mr. Clare Vyner was the only man to save 

 life that day ; another tells me that Mr. Meysey Thompson 

 received the Humane Society's medal for saving life on that 

 fatal day, and he was the only person who did so. 



Then, again, there has been some controversy as to the 

 number of Vyners present on the boat ; some say Captain Bob 

 was there as well as Mr. Clare, but this was not the case, for 

 Captain Bob witnessed the accident when on the banks of the 

 river with Lord Harewood and Lord Downe : all were trying to 

 think of some way of helping those in the water, but the accident 

 happened on the far side of the river. 



At last Captain Bob Vyner, unable to bear inaction any 

 longer, pulled off his boots and plunged into the angry swollen 

 river and all but succeeded in rescuing Mr. Lloyd ; but he was a 

 big heavy man and too much for Captain Bob, who had to give 

 up his heroic efforts and make for the banks, being himself in an 

 exhausted condition. 



After a few moments to regain his breath he once more 

 plunged in, and with help from the bank in the shape of planks, 

 lashed whips, etc., was able to assist in saving one or two who 

 were nearly drowned. 



Poor Mr. Robinson, who had hunted regularly for years 

 with the York and Ainsty, occupying rooms in York each winter 

 for that express purpose, and who was known amongst his 

 friends as " Fluffy," had always had a marked dislike to crossing 



