Free Trader (Schooner), 3 Aug 1837

      Accidental Deaths - Two men have lately been drowned in the Welland Canal - one at Port Colborne, on Frieday the 28th ult., who name we have not been able to learn; but he was a discharged sailor, somewhat intoxicated, and accidentally fell overboard from a vessel lying just inside the lock, at that place. The other was the mate of the schooner FREE TRADER, which had just entered the harbour at Port Dalhousie, on Sunday last, whose name was Robert Webster. It appeared in evidence before the inquest held over the body by Coroner Wood, that the deceased had been endeavouring to remove some appendages at the stern of the vessel to enable her to pass the locks, when some part of them suddenly gave way and struck him on the head, which stunned him that he lost his balance and fell into the water, from which he was not extricated until his life was extinct. Verdict of the jury in both cases - "accidental drowning".
      St. Catharines Journal
      August 3, 1837