FATAL ACCIDENT AT SHARPNESS POINT. - On Sunday at high water a crowd of French and other vessels arrived at Sharpness Point, and some of them got foul of each other. Thomas Merret, No. 9 Severn pilot, got out on the jibboom of one of the French vessels to endeavour to clear her, when from some cause the mizzen mast of another vessel became unstepped, and fell, striking Merrett on the head. He dropped into the water dead, but his body was recovered immediately. He has left five children totally unprovided for, and his wife is again under her confinement; the merchants are making a subscription for the bereaved widow and orphans.
Source: findmypast - Cheltenham Chronicle, 10 November 1863, Page 2