The Rye newspaper the South Eastern Advertiser, 26 September 1874, has the following article:
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING. – A female servant had a narrow escape from drowning on Sunday morning last, whilst bathing from the bathing machines at Warrior-square. Neglecting the warning of the attendant not to leave go of the rope, she did so and was washed out of her depth. Her cries for help drew the attention of Mr Moppett, hosier, &c., of Eversfield-place, and he at once plunged into the water, and after some little difficulty succeeded in bringing her ashore. When landed she was in a helpless condition, but was soon brought round by the application of the usual restoratives.
The mention of the rope is interesting. You were meant to go into the bathing machine on the land side and out the sea side, so it’s not clear how the rope could extend in front of you. Perhaps it was fastened to the machine, and you were meant to cling to it.
The next issue, on the 3 October 1874, contains a letter of thanks, addressed from the Royal Saxon Hotel, now 13 Grand Parade and rebuilt after 1905, and on the ground floor housing the Bonjour café. It is only a minute’s walk from Warrior Square.
THE LATE RESCUE FROM DROWNING. – Mr Moppett, of Eversfield-place, to whom in a great measure is due the rescue of a female who was carried out of her depth while bathing, on the 29th Sept., has since received the following feelingly-expressed letter of thanks: –
Royal Saxon Hotel,
St Leonards.
SIR, — I see by today’s papers that it was you who saved me from being drowned on Sunday morning last; and will you please accept of my everlasting gratitude, although I know that I can never sufficiently thank you, but should have done so before had I known where to send to.
And believe me to remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
HARRIETT LOVEGROVE
I identified Mr Moppett in the 1871 census at 4 Eversfield Place. James D. Moppett, age 43, outfitter, born Brighton, was married to Eliza, and had two boys, aged 8 and 10, and two servants.
Harriett Lovegrove was trickier. The full name may sound unusual, but there were 26 with that name in England and Wales in the 1871 census. Some were clearly too young, others probably too old, and she was very unlikely to be married. As she was a servant, I guessed that she had probably travelled no further than London, or a similar distance. I think the most likely candidate is the 26-year-old cook, born Frome, Somerset, who was in Westminster in what was apparently a large boarding house. Less likely is another cook, in Moulsford, near Oxford, age 25, born Berkshire, and working for a vicar, purely as it was further away.
I like the fact that Harriett, whoever she was, was able to have a holiday by the seaside.
Great detective work Stephen