David Kewley

Epithet: 'The bravest Manxman' (1850-1904)

Record type: Biographies

Biography: From ‘New Manx Worthies’ (2006):

A large block of granite opposite the Jubilee Clock in Douglas, in the form of a drinking fountain, bears the inscription: 'Erected by public subscription in memory of David Kewley ('Dawsey') as a tribute of admiration for his saving, at various times, 23 lives from drowning. May his example prove an incentive to like heroic deed. A.D. 1904.'

Dawsey was born in 1850, the eighth of ten children all born in either New Bond Street or the Fairy Ground in old Douglas. His father, Joseph, was a fisherman/boatman. Dawsey was a mooring man for the Steam Packet Company for 27 years and a member of the Douglas lifeboat crew, which led to some of his lifesaving, for instance from the wreck of the Liverpool barque Lebu in 1881.

Dawsey was known throughout the Island, and was a hero to the people of Douglas during the 1880s and 1890s. A skilled oarsman, his physique was described as not tall but powerfully built, indeed Herculean, and with his fellow crew of oarsmen he had a successful career in the rowing regattas which werepopular in Victorian times around the Irish Sea. He and his team, Charles Kewin, John Cain and Hugh Rodgers, refurbished an antiquated racing craft. Much scorn was directed their way when the men first appeared with their renovated vessel; however they went on to prove themselves unbeatable even against modern boats and professional crews.

Dawsey was a powerful and courageous swimmer and his lifesaving exploits are legendary. Research and various sources suggest that he may have saved more than 50 lives; no one is exactly certain, but his record was both exemplary and exceptional. Although famous in the Isle of Man, he was modest and disinclined to talk about his exploits. He possessed a gentle sense of humour and was viewed as a good friend and staunch comrade to his colleagues and fellow-seafarers.

In a letter in the June 1904 edition of the 'Manx Reformer' a Douglas woman, Elizabeth Moffat, wrote to the editor that she would like to supplement the interesting account given in the 'Isle of Man Weekly Times and General Advertiser' of 25th March of the 'Bravest Manxman' by mentioning some of the things she knew of Dawsey. It was in 1881 that she first met him when, after the wreck of the Lebu, the returning lifeboat was upset in the gale, 'with the terrible result that eleven lives were lost, four of them being our own lifeboatmen'. The letter further states: 'Some short time after that we had some entertainment for the lifeboatmen, at which 'Dawsey' was present. Lady Loch was much interested in it and said she would visit the lifeboatmen [with Mrs Moffat]. This she kindly did and among the rest we went to see David Kewley and to see the testimonials which, for different brave rescues, had been awarded to him by the Royal Humane Society. Here besides his wife and family, we found he had taken his bedridden mother to live with him. Soon after, his brother in law, Caren, who was coxswain of the upset lifeboat [and who] never recovered from his immersion, died and Dawsey took his children into his household. It is reported that soon after that, they were taken into the Industrial Home but during their spell with Kewley he treated them kindly.'

Subsequently Dawsey was held in high esteem and when Sir Spencer Walpole succeeded Lord Henry Brougham Loch as Governor of the Isle of Man he presented him, on 25th August 1888, with the bronze medal and certificate from the Royal Humane Society and 'a purse of gold'. The 'gold' was subscribed by local people to recognise his heroism. Dawsey asked Elizabeth Moffat to bank his money in his wife's name, with characteristic thoughtfulness 'in case she should wish to draw it at any time when he was not at hand'. Furthermore, he added, that if he had the money in his possession, the men on the quay might wish him to treat them with it and he said simply 'that it might be so difficult to refuse'. In view of the provision he made, one may wonder if he had a forthcoming premonition of his own demise soon after.

He received one of his three awards from the Royal Humane Society for the rescue of a Dr Hemmings who fell from the Victoria Pier into the sea on a dark stormy night. The doctor, who was unable to swim, landed between the pier and the paddle-steamer Snaefell and Dawsey had to fight for some 20 minutes to keep him afloat until help arrived.

Dawsey developed a chill in March 1904 which led to pneumonia and he died prematurely at the age of 54. The people of Douglas wished to bestow every honour on this popular man and huge crowds (reported to be thousands) followed the coffin and funeral procession from his home in Shaw's Brow to Braddan Cemetery. The headstone of his grave was designed by Archibald Knox. The funeral was preceded by the Douglas Town Band and many local dignitaries were present including the mayor, Councillor R.H. Cubbon, and directors of the Steam Packet.

In the same June issue of the 'Manx Reformer' in which her letter appeared, Mrs Moffat requested that 'such was the brave, warm-hearted man who was laid in his grave on Sunday, regretted by everyone who knew him' that she wished to offer this tribute, to the memory of one of whom she thought so highly:

'In memory of the bravest Manxman, David Kewley c'Dawsey') Who died March 25th 1904.

We lay him down to rest
The truly noble dead
Who counted not his own life dear,
For him our tears are shed.

His strong right arm no more
Can rescue from the wave:
For he has reached the shore
Which lies beyond the grave.

But we, who loved to know
That brave good heart of old
Weep while we lay him low
With blessings manifold.

It's said that thirty-eight
Were rescued by his hand;
Yet naught did he relate
Of all these exploits grand.

Oh many may have fame.
Not half so brave as he
A man whose duty made his aim
Then waited silently.

Oh how brave was each deed!
And due to him was given.
And He who sees man's need
Has steered him safe to heaven.

Elizabeth A. Moffat,
Finch Road,
Douglas,
March 1904.

The same edition of the 'Manx Reformer' also printed a poem [entitled 'Dawsey'] of 40 lines by Charles Langley and stated, 'Few, if any, of
the Sons of Mona have left behind such a record of personal bravery as the man who was laid in his resting place on the 27th March, 1904'.

`Dawsey' included the following truism in its introduction and conclusion:

Withholding honours while men live
They shower them when they die.

After the poem, the 'Manx Reformer' continued, 'Apropos of above poem, it is gratifying to note that a movement is on foot to erect a memorial in memory of brave "Dawsey". Mr George Robertson, Secretary of the Committee, will be pleased to receive donations, be they great or small'.

The memorial was originally placed in the old Victoria Pier arcade and was nearly lost for the nation when the pier was demolished, but it was placed in storage. Several prominent people later asked pertinent questions as to its whereabouts and in January 1967 it was re-erected in the 'bottleneck' car park, 100 yards from its original location.

Dawsey Kewley, a man from a humble family, therefore takes his rightful place in history as a justifiable worthy and Manx hero of his day.

Biography written by Voirrey Kewley (great-granddaughter).

(With thanks to Culture Vannin as publishers of the book: Kelly, Dollin (general editor), ‘New Manx Worthies’, Manx Heritage Foundation/Culture Vannin, 2006, pp.256-8.)

Culture Vannin

#NMW

Nationality: Manx

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 1850

Date of death: 25 March 1904

Name Variant: Kewley, David 'Dawsey'

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