[From Manx Quarterly, #4 1908]

A BRAVE MAN HONOURED.

PRESENTATION TO " GANJA" RONEY.

John RONEY (GANJA).

The demonstration on Saturday, Feb. 15th, when " Ganja" Roney, in recognition of his services to mankind in saving from death by drowning something like forty lives, was presented with a substantially-built and neat-looking boat, was entered into with enthusiasm by all who took part in it. These included, in addition to the Mayor (Councillor J. Sharp, J.P.), Councillor Flinn, and the committee of the Victoria Swimming Club, some five hundred or so persons. The Victoria Swimming Club deserve great credit for interesting themselves in so worthy a cause, and it was wholly owing to their efforts that funds were accumulated for the purchase of the boat. She is a fully-equipped lug boat, 18ft. over all, 6ft. beam, centre board, and complete in every detail. The boat is copper fastened, planked with Baltic red pine, American elm timbers, and oak stem and stern posts. With lug and mizzen sail and centre board, she will prove a smart and handy craft, and does credit to her builders, Messrs Qualtrough. The presentation took place in the Market-place. It was no formal ceremony. There were no set speeches, and no stereotyped votes of thanks. The whole affair was impromptu, and — it gained much in effect by reason of its spontaneity. The short speech by which Councillor Flinn, the president of the club, opened the proceedings, did not aim at oratory, but it struck the right note. It made an immediate appeal to the crowd. When he told of " Ganja's " many feats of bravery — how on account of his continual wettings he was now prematurely aged and suffered from rheumatism; how, prompted by a desire to provide him with the means of obtaining an honest living for himself and his widowed mother, the boat had been built and equipped, and that it required but £3 to clear it altogether of debt, Councillor Flinn's speech produced an effect on his auditors which many a more adorned address could not have done. And when, at his suggestion, the hat went round, contributions were forthcoming with a readiness, not to say eagerness, that was good to see. Proud of their own achievement, they greeted with cheers the statement that not only was the boat clear of debt, but that some 30s had in addition been collected, and that this would go towards providing oars and other accessories. Subsequently "Ganja" was presented with a medal and certificate. Were he the hero of a poem, he would have been unable to stand the ovation he received on standing to have his medal pinned to his breast; but " Ganja " is no idealist's hero. He is a distinctly human specimen. And the Victoria Swimming Club admire him none the less because he has his failings. And no one expressed either surprise or disgust when, in response to the cheers of the crowd, he said, " Got such a thing as a 'd' on you?" They only laughed and cheered again.

The only part of the proceedings that were taken exception to by any of those present was in connection with the christening. As the Mayor held the small bottle of champagne over the nose of the boat, several of the matter-of-fact audience appeared dissatisfied, and more than one called out, " Don't waste it!" But it was " wasted," and in the name of " Victoria " the boat was christened.

A move was then made to the beach between the Victoria and Red Piers, where a still larger crowd watched the launching of the boat, and many critical eyes were turned seaward as the Victoria, with " Ganja " at the helm and several members of the committee of the Victoria Swimming Club on board, made her first voyage in admirable fashion across Douglas Bay.

At the Market Place, in his address, Councillor Flinn, president of the Victoria Swimming Club, assured them that he felt it a great honour to be asked by the committee of the Victoria Swim-ming Club to present this boat to John Roney, or, as he was better known, to " Ganja." The club deserved all honour for the trouble they had undertaken in obtaining the funds to make a present of this boat to our gallant townsman. All knew him. He had known Roney himself for a long time. The boat would enable him to gain an honest livelihood for himself and widowed mother. Through his exertions in saving over 30 lives in the last 40 years, Roney had suffered in health from the wettings received, though he was as yet comparatively a young man. After getting wet, probably he had not at home the means of renewing. The two reasons for bringing them together were that the club thought it beat to let the ladies and gentlemen who had subscribed donations and prizes see what had been done with the proceeds, and secondly, to let those who have not subscribed have the opportunity of doing so. The boat had cost £18, and there was a little over £3 short to complete that amount. He was sure they would not let the boat enter the water with a shilling debt on her. It was for that reason he asked for contributions. Another reason was that the Victoria Swimming Club had last March been the means of contributing £20 to the Boot and Clothing Fund, thereby providing 130 children with boots and clothing. They were also getting up next month a gala for that purpose, which he hoped would attain the same success.

At this stage a collection was made, and the balance was quickly subscribed. Councillor Flinn called upon Roney, who came forward amidst applause, at the same time wishing him many happy years to enjoy the present made to him that day. He presented to him the key.

Roney: I thank you all.

The Mayor said it gave him pleasure to do what little he could to help " Ganja." He had known him for many years. Any-thing that had been said by the last speaker was not exaggerated in any way. Councillor Flinn had asked him' to christen the boat, and had informed him that if there was any deficiency he was expected to make it up (laughter).

Councillor Flinn : I have always got him for a mark (renewed laughter). The Mayor (continuing) said the boat had been fully subscribed for, but he would still be pleased to add his mite He had pleasure- in chistening the boat " Victoria," and hoped it would be suc-cessful, keep clear of accident, and earn for its owner a good living. It would not be out of place here to mention a few incidents in connection with " Ganja's '' saving of life. One of the first goes back about 20 years ago, when a man named Richard Ward over-balanced himself in a small boat close to Conister. His feet were caught under the taff of the boat, while his body was in the water. " Ganja" saw this from the Promenade and without hesitation, without waiting to divest him-self of any clothing, immediately sprang into the water,awam out a great distance, and rescued his man, who, I believe, is living to-day, while Professor Bibroe, a great swimmer we had here at the time, was undressing himself on the rocks at the Peveril Hotel. The number of persons rescued in the vicinity of the double corner by " Ganja" is legion. A few that I remember - Sammy Burden, young Heyes and Taggart, a double event; old Willie Kneale, Pat Heeney, who died a day or two after from shock; a boy who fell between the steamer and the wall-a very difficult feat. " Ganja " was for about 15 years an attendant at the Port Skillion Baths, and during that time he made many sensational rescues. One was of a gentleman named Brown, from Leeds, who took an apopletic fit in the water between Port Skillion and the Breakwater. This was witnessed by hundreds of people on Douglas Head A man named Blackburn, in the bath, was another rescue. But one of his crowning feats was the rescue of three in one day. Two bathers, while out in deep water, lost their nerve and took grips of each other, and commenced to shout and struggle. " Ganja," at great risk, went to their aid, and, as usual with him, rescued them both. The same day, three hours later, a gentleman got into difficulties and sank. The water was muddy, and "Ganja" had to make several attempts before he could pick him off the bottom. He was already tired with his previous exertions in rescuing the two together. This gentleman, I am glad to say, did not forget our worthy friend, but sent him the sum of 20s. (A Voice He ought to have sent it back'to him.) This, and a sovereign from a local gentleman who witnessed one of his rescues, has been, until the present occasion, the only reward of 40 years of life-saving. One could go on for an hour describing these rescues; they are so numerous. The rescues in many cases have been effected at great personal risk, but that was a factor never taken into account by " Ganja." That they have had a bad effect on " Ganja's " physical health is true, for to-day he is suffering from chronic rheumatism, contracted last June through being in wet clothes, after rescuing rescuer and rescued, the occasion which has led to the general public in subscribing to this beautiful piece of workmanship-the Victoria (applause).

Councillor Flinn then presented Roney with the " Weekly Post " gold medal and certificate awarded him for bravery, and announced that Roney was also to be the recipient of the Royal Humane Society's diploma.

Thanks were accorded the Mayor and Councillor Flinn for their services, and cheers were given for the V.S.C.

"GANJA."

He aint so much to look at, but he's proper you may bet;
He is full of pluck and courage, he's a magazine of vim;
If there's anyone in trouble in any kind of wet,
He's there-that's "Ganja"-that's him.

It aint the toff who tells us what we should or should not do,
Or the holy Joe whose sermons are always long and thin
Who'd wet their spreckled waistcoats or untie a blooming shoe !
No-its "Ganja"-its left for "Ganja"-to do the jumping in.

Good old " Ganj a"-here's to ye and the breed you represent;
We'll allow there's many a hero on the quay
Do it good and do it kind, for the turn is only* lent,
And the cherub up above will surely pay.

In a multitude of duffers it often happens thus,
That the man who acts the quickest is the best;
And you've made your claim quite certain to the stranger and to us,
That you're worthy of Victoria and the rest.

May the boat your pals provide be the darling of the muffs;
May your earnings be respectably good;
May the future send you fortune in gentle little puffs,
To banish want of health, and cheer, and food.

In a busy round of duties, we are often called to time; -
We are halted to remember human need;
How throng'd the sordid actions, how few the acts sublime,
Despite our Christian training, despite our pride of breed.

Roney is but humble, and fortune frowns for him
But still he wins affection from us all;
His acts will be remembered when his sight with age grows dim,
And time belays his capstan on the pall.

The boys who raised the gift need no special kind of puff;
They are sportsmen, and they're triers that is plain ;
They have helped a noble fellow, and that is quite enough-
They are always doing good, and will again !

J. J. KERMODE. 62 Dale-street, Liverpool,

February 26th, 1908.