[ Annual Register ]
The Annual Register is a publication that analyzed cultural, political, and historical developments; it was started in 1785 by the well-known publishing firm of James and Richard Dodsley in London, and was initially edited by the important Irish writer and political figure Edmund Burke. The Annual Register continues to publish to this day. [ click here for more information on this long-lived journal ]
The following entry is from the 1784 - 1785 issue, which was published in 1787 (London: Dodsley).
CHRONICLE. JANUARY 1785.
Kingston, Dec. 18, 1784.
SUNDAY evening the following shocking accident happened in this harbour: about ten at night one Richard Page, a cooper, belonging to the ship Highfield, with several of his comrades, went down King-street to the water-side, where a boat lay ready to carry them to the ship. On their getting down to the wharf, Page swore he would not get into the boat, but would swim off: and after struggling with his companions some time, who endeavoured to force him into the boat, actually leaped off the end of the wharf into the water, and swam towards the ship. The people instantly put off in the boat; but, before they had got ten yards from the wharf, heard the unhappy man call out for help, and presently they took his mangled, mutilated, bleeding carcase into the boat. He only lived to tell them that a shark had torn him all to pieces. His bowels were cut out, his back broke, and one of his arms was stripped of the flesh from the shoulder down to the elbow. A large Newfoundland dog, which followed the unhappy man into the water, was devoured by the same monster. (223)