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DEATH OF CAPT. JAS. BAMPTON
Survivor of Thrilling Experiences
Blown up by an Explosion
RESCUED FROM THE FALLS
He Lived to an Old Age and Dies a Natural Death
[Welland Tribune, 29 April 1898]
Perhaps no one in the town of Welland had a wider or warmer circle of friends than Capt. James Bampton, who departed this life at his home on Sunday last, aged 68 years. Everyone who knew him was his friend; he had no enemies.
Capt. Bampton was a native of England, but has been a resident of this county nearly all his life. He was a vessel captain and engineer by occupation, and in his day was the subject of several notable adventures. Among the small tugs he ran on the canal and river hearabout were the “Whip” and the “L.N.G,” both of which will be familiar words to the older people of Welland. The boiler of the “Whip” exploded whilst she was lying at McDonald’s saw mill on the Welland river. Capt. Bampton was badly scalded, Charley Gillam, one of his crew, was killed, and George Poor, another, was severely injured.
Capt. Bampton also had a thrilling experience on the Niagara river. It is said he was the nearest to going over Niagara Falls of any person ever in a tugboat or large boat of any kind, and to be saved. He was engaged by the late John Brown of Thorold, who had the contract for reducing the banks of the deep cut, to prevent their sliding in every spring. The earth was loaded on mud scows, and it was Mr. Bampton’s work to tow them, three at a time, to the Niagara river, where the earth was dumped into the water.
One of the scows got loose, and Mr. Bampton in endeavoring to rescue it ran down below the first line of rapids. All who saw his perilous position thought he was doomed to go over the Falls, but skilful management and a close call Capt. Bampton rescued the tug and brought her safe into the Chippawa.
Mr. Bampton has been ailing for a long time, and was confined to his bed five weeks before his death, which was caused by throat and lung diseases. A widow and one son, James Jr., and one daughter, Mrs. William Swartz, survive.
In politics deceased was a Conservative; in religion an adherent of the church of England.
The funeral on Tuesday was attended by a large gathering of friends to tender the last token of respect. The last services were performed by Rev. Dr. Johnstone; interment at Fonthill cemetery.
The pall-bearers were John R. Dowd, Peter McKinley, R.H. Phillips, Willis Nunnemaker, James Blackwell and Frank Ott.
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