Ambleside Herald and Lakes News 28-July-1882 Sad End of a Native of Ambleside (Conclusion) A singular feature in the affair is the fact that the police made no attempt to discover the relatives of the unfortunate young man, which they could easily have done by communicating with the officers of the ship in which deceased last sailed, the name of which was mentioned by the witness VAUSE. As it was, the first intimation of the sad event was communicated to the brother-in-law of the deceased by the chief officer of the S.S. Symington in a letter dated July 18th, three days after the occurrence. The matter did not come to the knowledge of the officers of the vessel until a report of the inquest appeared in the papers, when the second officer went and recognised the body. The brother in law of the deceased young man, wrote at once asking for further particulars and received the following reply:- MR. PLUMB, Dear Sir, Yours to hand last evening. I am sure you would be sorry to hear the sad news. The deceased, JOHN BIGLAND, joined the S.S. Wm. Symington, last February twelve months, as Carpenter and Boatswain, and was here until last Wednesday week, when we were paid off. He left us with the intention of going either to Falmouth or Plymouth to pass his examination as 2nd Mate; he said good bye the same afternoon, and I was under the impression that he had left Liverpool the same evening, as was his intention, and he, poor fellow was full of hopes of being successful in his examination. I heard no more about him until I read the account in the papers on Monday, when I at once wrote to you. I am very sorry for his poor mother, as it will be a sad blow to her. There is no doubt as to his identity, as the Second Mate went to the deadhouse and was confident of the identity. I am very sorry that I have nothing that belongs to him, as I know that anything, no matter of how little value to anyone else, would be of great value to you. I am more grieved than I can tell you, as the deceased was well liked by all the officers, including myself. As to his effects, I believe that all he had are still at Lime Street Station, and I cannot inquire about them as I am no relative. He was paid off with about £25 to the best of my knowledge, and according to the papers, he had only a few shillings upon him. His watch and chain were missing, I should advise you to open a correspondence with the police authorities here, or come yourself. I am convinced that the police were lax in not inquiring on board the vessel, as they knew he had belonged to her. If they had done so it would have given you ample time to be over at the inquest. I am very sorry that I cannot give you more information, not being able to find out for myself, and I should be only glad to oblige you, as you must be as grieved as myself Yours, &c., A. STEVENSON On Monday last, Mr. ROBERT BIGLAND, went to Liverpool and ascertained beyond a doubt that it was indeed his brother who had come to such an untimely end. He there saw the chief officer of the Symington, who gave deceased an excellent character. His opinion as to the motive which had influenced the unfortunate young man to the rash act was this - when he left the vessel he was so confident of passing his examination, and then having got into bad company and lost all his money, his hopes were dashed to the ground, and the thought of this madly impelled him to the commission of the rash act which deprived him of life. Much sympathy is felt in Ambleside for the relatives of the deceased, who are well known and respected, in their bereavement.