From the Kent Herald, 2 May 1833

Erith. Distressing accident.

Wednesday an inquest was held before Mr. C. J. Carttar, coroner for Kent, at the sign of the "Bell," in the parish of Erith, on view of the bodies of Mary Elizabeth and Eliza Munns, who came by their deaths under the following distressing circumstances:-

John Munns, of Erith, bargeman, being sworn, deposed as follows:- On Wednesday week left Erith in my barge, accompanied by my wife, Mary Munns, two of my daughters, and eldest son; on the following afternoon, near Sheerness, a sudden squall came on, and the barge capsized. My wife and two children were in the cabin, and it was quite impossible to render them the least assistance, although every effort was made to do so. I was, with my son, providentially saved by climbing up the rigging, and calling out for assistance, and was fortunate enough to be discovered in that situation by some men in a boat, who were passing by at the time.

Verdict:- "Accidental Death." The barge was very heavily laden with soil for Mr. Ellis, the extensive hop-grower at Barming, near Maidstone.