Richard Denton

1889 DEATH OF A JARROW SHIPYARD MANAGER.
General regret will be felt at the intelligence of the death at Bilbao of Mr Richard Denton, who only left the Jarrow works of Messrs Palmer and Co. a few months ago to take the position of under manager of the new yard of Martinez, Rivas, Palmer, and Co. Mr Denton was only about 37 years of age, and was much esteemed for his genial nature and kindly disposition. He resided in Jarrow in Clerveaux terrace, and leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. A letter, received from a friend of Denton's gives particulars as to the sad occurrence as follows ; — It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of Mr Richard Denton, Jarrow, who, but a few months ago, came out to Spain to assist in superintending the erection of the engineering works in connection with the cruisers now being built by Messrs Martinez-Rivas- Palmer, for the Spanish Government. For some time Mr Denton had not been in good health, but nothing serious was anticipated until a few days ago, when peritonitis supervened upon other complications. With this fatal disease the struggle was short, and death took place early on Sunday morning. I need not say that during his illness he had every loving care that kindness could afford, and every aid that medical science could give. It may be some consolation to his friends in England to know this, and also to know that his death is mourned by troops of friends in Spain. As soon as the sad intelligence of his death spread up and down the river, English vessels hoisted flags half-mast high, and when the funeral took place — which is compulsory, according to Spanish law, on the day following death - nearly every British ship in the river was represented, and from the dockyards of Messrs Rivas - Palmers the heads of every department were there to pay last tribute of respect to the deceased. I noticed amongst those present; Mr J. P. Wilson, Mr Clarke, Robert Wilson, Dr Service, Mr Henry Moorhouse, Manchester, and Mr Budd, Cardiff and Newport. The interment took place the English cemetery, "a beautiful little spot on the banks of the Nervion, where flowers and shrubs and trees, dark firs and yews shadow the ground from the fierce Spanish sun — a resting-place indeed ! The river at ebb and flow murmurs by, no sound except that mountains on either side overlook it in quiet majesty. A cross and wreaths of beautiful flowers from his comrades at the works covered his coffin, and the still more beautiful service of our Church was impressively read by the English chaplain, Mr Burnett, over his grave, a hundred Englishmen standing by, with no tears, no outward demonstration, but with that splendid respect and affection that one Briton pays to another, who falls and dies in the simple performance of duty, no matter in what condition of life, and no matter where.'

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