Courage at Curranrue – 1847

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 20th March, 1847 p.4

(abridged)
On Monday, as the Misses Crow, of Derriwillian, were returning from the sea-shore, to their lodge at Curranrue, they heard a shriek and, on turning, saw a little boy running towards them, exclaiming that his brother was drowning in the sea. Both young ladies hastened to the spot and arrived as the youth made his appearance a second time on the surface of the water. In a moment he was down again, and Miss Crow, throwing away her cloak and bonnet, rushed into the water to save him. The place being very steep, before she was able to reach him she got beyond her depth, and down she went also.
Miss Lucy Crow, seeing her sister in such imminent danger, plunged to her rescue.  She had not proceeded many yards when she found she could not go further without placing herself in the same perilous position and that then all would be lost.
In agonising suspense she stretched forth her hand to save her sister and the boy. Alas! it was useless; they were too far asunder.  Down her sister went again, overpowered by the weight of the little boy who was entangled with the grasp of the dying in her hair and neck.
But as if Providence would have it,  the force of the waves carried them on to a rock in the water.  Resting her foot upon it, the brave Miss Crow reached forward to meet the outstretched arm of her intrepid sister.  She eventually succeeded in bringing herself and her young charge in safety to the shore.

One is at a loss which to admire, the intrepid bravery of the one or the judgment and presence of mind of the other of these young ladies. On returning to Derriwillin they will carry with them the blessings of the parents and friends of the youth whose life they thus, at the risk of their own, providentially saved. Galway Mercury
(What a beautiful subject for the poet and the painter).