South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 16 March 1858.

Inquest.

On Monday and inquest was held at the "Ship Inn," Chatham intre, before J. Lewis, Esq., city coroner, on the body of Mary Balcombe, age 30, who was accidentally drowned some weeks ago when attempting to get on board the Providence barge, on a dark night, with the master of which he cohabited. The particulars of the accident appeared in this paper at the time of the occurrence. The deceased and the man with whom she lived were attempting to get on board the barge at an early hour on the morning of the 12th January last, both of them being in a filthy state of intoxication. The deceased missing her footing, fell into the water, and was drowned, the body not being recovered until the above day.

Verdict, "Accidentally drowned," whilst in a state of intoxication.