Light shed on the Drayton Beauchamp canal accident

As reported in recent editions of the Bucks Herald, our recent appeal for information relating to a 19th century canal accident at Drayton Beauchamp has led to further information on the incident.

Local historian Wendy Austin, on investigating local newspapers from the time, has identified that two deaths were recorded in September 1824. The local reported stated that there was a water party at Halton Moor, within a mile of Wendover, and the boat in which the six persons were travelling was upset, with two of the females, Miss Lydia Butcher and Miss Martha Allen, unfortunately drowning in the incident

The boat in which they were travelling was a "flat bottomed skiff, piqued at each end, not more than three yards and a half in length".