shoemaker at the side of the river Aire in Knottingley, Yorkshire

[dobfarm]

I had a 2 x Gt granddad who died in 1868 as a ferryman & shoemaker at the side of the river Aire in Knottingley, Yorkshire, he had been called to ferry a man across the river, unfortunately Gt granddad fell out of the boat crossing the river to pick the man up at the otherside in a fast flow of the river and drowned. 

[AlanBoyd]

Hi dobfarm,

I think that says ‘I went with them to the staith.’

A staith(e) is a shore or other landing place or wharf.

Alan

[BushInn1746]

Hi dobfarm,

I think that says ‘I went with them to the staith.’

A staith(e) is a shore or other landing place or wharf.

Alan

Hello dobfarm

Agree with quote. In this instance from the description and wording it is the designated Landing place or Quay.

Example the street called the King's Staith Landing in York, was a landing place historically too.

Notice also, he couldn't reach his usual landing place on the other side, likely due to the flow.

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Other words ...

made the fire

Westerly & strong

watched him returning

The boat stuck. [perhaps the reason for being thrown out, he was standing up in fast flowing water with a strong wind]

Mark