Mr Addy became famous for his work in rescuing over 50 people from drowning in the River Irwell in the late 1870s.
It is alleged that Mark Addy saved his first victim from the filthy waters of the Irwell when he was just 13 years of age.
His bravery earned him the Albert Medal which was presented to him by by the Mayor of Salford, Alderman Robinson, on behalf of Queen Victoria, in the large assembly room of Salford Town Hall in Bexley Square in June 1879.
Addy died after contracting consumption whilst rescuing a boy from the Irwell in 1890 and on his death donations poured in to erect a fabulous monument to him at his grave at Weaste Cemetery.
The polished red granite obelisk stands 20ft high rising from a stepped base and is still is a must-see for anybody interested in local history.
Inscribed to the front are the words: “Sacred to the memory of Mark Addy, the Salford hero who died 9 June 1890 in the 52nd year of his age. He saved more than 50 persons from drowning in the River Irwell, for which he received amongst other rewards, the Albert Medal (1st class) from H.M. the Queen. Life’s work well done, life’s races well won. He rests in peace. Erected by public subscription.”
The excess donations were used to fund this 1894 portrait by Annie Lord of Gilda Crescent Road, Eccles, which can be seen in the museum’s Victorian Gallery.
Interestingly enough when I was doing some research into Mark Addy’s life I interviewed an elderly chap who was living in Ordsall at the time, this would be in 1978 who told me that his father had told him that Mark Addy was the landlord of The Old Boathouse Inn, a long-demolished public house on Everard Street in Ordsall
He said that young boys often used to swim in the River Irwell, presumably not being able to afford to go the nearby public baths on Regent Road which opened in 1892.
However when ever Mark Adddy saw a lad swimming in the river he would dive in and ‘rescue’ him, adding the struggling boy to his list of the souls he had saved.
How true this is I can’t say, but it is a funny story you must admit.
A permanent reminder to Mark Addy can still be found on Stanley Street in central Salford in the form of a public house, called naturallly enough, The Mark Addy, which opened in 1981 and is owned by Salford bookmaker Jim Ramsbottom.
