Osea Island

“Here is Osey or Osyth Island, commonly called Oosey Island, so well known by our London Men of Pleasure for the infinite number of Wild-fowl that is to say, Duck Mallard, Teal and Widgeon, of which there are such vast flights that they tell us the island, namely, the Creek, seems covered with them at certain times of the year, and they go from London on purpose for the pleasure of Shooting; and, indeed, often come home very well loaded with game.”

Without going too much into detail, we may, I think, quote the words of a sporting Essex squire, who is still living, to confirm them. Mr. Thomas Kemble, of Runwell Hall, says:

“I am now going to relate what possibly sportsmen who go down there at the present day for wild-fowl shooting will not believe. I have seen the sky darkened with wild-geese covering a space of half-a-mile by a quarter-of-a-mile, as thick as manure spread upon the ground, and making a noise which I could only compare with fifty packs of hounds in full cry. I have also seen seven acres at low water covered with Widgeon, Curlew and Ducks, making such a noise that I could not hear my brother talking to me a few yards off. Colonel Russell was off the coast in his yacht. He told me that he had sent off from Maldon to London upwards of two tons of geese.”

The immense flocks of Brent Geese, or Black Geese, as they are termed locally, frequently still to be seen at the mouth of Blackwater during winter, can hardly be credited without ocular demonstration, and it is that we recommend; this is a sight well worth anyone’s seeing, and there are many men with boats to be found at Maldon who can at the proper time give every information as to the how, where, and when this is to be managed. We can hardly be expected to give details as the books we have already mentioned. Folkard, in the third edition of his Wild-fowler, writes, “The gunning-punts of the eastern coast are of considerable reputation, particularly those in the neighbourhood of Maldon, in Essex, the form of which is much in favour with those who resort to the pursuit of punting in winter as a means of subsistence.” All the best punts are built in Maldon, and the builders will give an intending purchaser any information that may be necessary.

Osea Island: Looking out to Sea. Post for securing boats.

We may perhaps give some idea of what the Black-water may produce by noting some of the authentic performances that have come to our notice. Charles Hipsey, of Maldon, once shot, and 12 to 15 more were picked up by other punters. Mr. E. F. Sheppard, son of the rector of Wrabness, records that a gunner fired into a flock of Coots, when a Basham, of Maldon, has the gun with which Girton, of himself bagged 50 Coots at a single shot. Basham himself bagged 288 Oxbirds (Dunlin) at a single shot from a flock settles on the ice, and the gulls and crows took several dozen besides. Harry Handley, of Maldon, once shot 432 Oxbirds (Dunlin) in two successive shots in Stansgate Bay. John Basham, junr., of Maldon, shot 108 Marl (Knots), in one shot out of a flock resting on the mud flats near Bradwell Chapel. Charles Hipsey, of Maldon, shot 320 Knots in one shot, just as many birds as there were shots in his gun (1/2lb. A.A. shot). Frank Hope, of Maldon, once shot 75 Curlew at once. Enormous “bags” of black geese might be recorded. In January, 1871, 14 guns shot 471 birds at once; 32 guns bagged 704 on another occasion, and 18 guns bagged 360. Of single shots at geese, Stubbins, of Maldon, once killed 50 at the mouth of Thurslet Creek, and William Handley, of Maldon, once shot 120 geese in three successive shots; he shot 24 dozen geese that week besides. May some of our readers yet to be able to do likewise.

'Osea Island As It Will Be' - Weekly Dispatch

On this beautiful Island there has been recently erected an ideal Home for ladies and gentlemen suffering from the insidious and baneful effects of Alcohol and Narcotics. This Home is splendidly situated facing the South, and overlooking the estuary of the Blackwater. It is lighted throughout with Acetylene Gas, and is replete with every comfort. Indoor and outdoor amusements are provided. It will be the endeavour of the founder to make his clients as much at home as possible. In fact, it will be a real Home away from home. Situated on an Island it has unique advantages not possessed by other Homes of similar character.

address: “Rivermere,” Osea Island, Maldon, Essex.

Osea Island: Looking North. Road to the landing wharf.

Osea Island is currently being managed by the leading addiction treatment and mental health clinic, The Causeway Retreat. For more information, give them a call on +44 (0)207 100 7260.