THE HANGING IN BRITAIN HAD USED EITHER THE CART OR LADDER METHOD OF GETTING CONDEMNED
The “New Drop”.
The “New Drop” gallows was first used at Tyburn for the execution of Earl Ferrers on the 5th of May 1760. It comprised of a scaffold covered in black baize reached by a short flight of stairs. Two uprights rose from the scaffold, topped with a cross beam. Directly under the beam there was a small box like structure, some three feet square and 18 inches high, which was designed to sink down into the scaffold and thus leave the criminal suspended. There were even black cushions for the Earl and the chaplain to kneel on to pray before the hanging. Some time around noon, the platform sank down leaving the Earl suspended. The mechanism had not functioned properly and Ferrers’ feet were still virtually in contact with the platform. He writhed slightly for a short period before becoming still. Here is a drawing of the scene. Note “Mother Proctor’s Pews on the left of the gallows.
Not withstanding that this hanging did not go as expected, the concept of the “New Drop” caught on quite quickly and similar patterns of gallows began to replace the ladder and the cart methods. The New Drop obviated the pendulum effect created by dragging the prisoner off the back of a cart but did not necessarily lead to an easier death.
In the late 18th century new county gaols were being constructed and each had a New Drop style gallows, although there was no standard design. Each county did what it thought best. However they typically used either trap doors or a falling platform to get the prisoner suspended. In some counties the gallows were erected or brought out in front of the prison (County Gaol) as at Newgate, some were erected in the flat roof of the prison gatehouse as at Horsemonger Lane gaol. Some had a few steps up to the platform while others had a number of steps for the condemned to climb.
With the “New Drop” gallows in the early part of the 19th century the condemned typically fell 12-18 inches and this was found to give a slightly quicker death than was normal using the cart. However death was still typically by asphyxiation and body movements could continue for several minutes after the drop fell. Some prisoners went limp immediately and did not appear to suffer at all.
The New Drop gallows at Newgate.
The New Drop gallows was first used on the 9th of December 1783 and was erected adjacent to the Debtor’s Door of Newgate prison. It stood about 60 feet northward of the Debtor’s Door and was reached by a covered passage so that the prisoners were not visible to the public until they came up the ten steps up onto the platform. Nearest the wall was a small roofed “penthouse” containing two double seats for the sheriffs, one on each side of the stairs leading to the scaffold. The scaffold and gallows formed a temporary machine, some 16 feet long, which was drawn out of the yard of the Sessions House by horses. It was supported by strong posts fixed into grooves made in the street.
The original gallows was described as follows: “In the middle of this machinery is a movable platform, 10 feet long by 8 feet wide, raised six inches higher than the rest of the scaffold, and upon this the convicts stand. Stout uprights support two parallel beams. The platform is supported by two iron bars, 6 feet long, secured to the under side. At the lower end of the bars are fixed two rollers running upon a sliding bar. At the head of this sliding bar is fixed a lever (pin) projecting above the scaffold. When the signal is given, the hangman, by a very small force applied to the lever, slides the bar into its place, and the platform falls. This, being much more sudden and regular than that of a cart being drawn away as at Tyburn, has the effect of a quicker death”. The scaffold was surrounded by an enclosure on three sides, five feet wide, that accommodated the Javelin men. Outside this enclosure was a strong railing to protect the scaffold from the crowd and in front of which constables with staves were positioned.
There was a written protocol for executions drawn up and published in 1783. It was most probably the world’s first written execution protocol. This document was entitled “Standing Orders and Regulations to be observed at the Execution of Criminals upon the Scaffold erected before Newgate, as directed by the Sheriffs.” It stated:
“That 120 constables be summoned to attend.
That proper posts and rails be fixed to prevent any carriages coming up or down the Old Bailey.
Each prisoner to give notice in writing to the sheriff, prior to the day of execution, of the name of one friend to be admitted to him.
The time of execution to be precisely nine o’clock.
The Sheriff’s Officers to be summoned to attend in their gowns and with javelins.
The execution to take place as soon after the prisoners come upon the scaffold, as the nature and decorum of the awful scene will admit.
The scaffold and passage to be completely fixed by eight o’clock and not later.
That the friends of each culprit do send a shell (open coffin) to Newgate at seven o’clock in the evening of the day preceding the execution.
Constables to attend the removal of the scaffold.”
The following regulations were to be observed on the day of execution:
The Sheriff’s Officers, twenty in number, to be with javelins, within the first railing of the scaffold. Four without javelins to halter (noose) and bring out the criminals.
The constables, under the direction of the City Marshalls, are to be placed in close order around the outer rail to preserve the peace and permit no person within them.
The procession from the Press Yard to be in the following manner, viz:
The Ordinary
The sheriffs and under-sheriffs.
The criminals, two and two.
One half of the Sheriff’s Officers, two and two.
The City Marshall’s men.
The Junior Marshall.
Closed by two Sheriff’s Officers and two constables.
No person to be admitted on the scaffold except the Ordinary, the executioner, his servant (assistant) and the criminals”.
This first execution was of nine men and one woman who had been sentenced to death at the October Sessions of the Old Bailey. On the 3rd of December 1783 the Recorder of London made his report to the King and Privy Council and it was decided that the following should be ordered for execution on Tuesday the 9th of December:
John Burke for highway robbery of Thomas Fellows on the road to Uxbridge, robbing him of a silver watch, two gold seals and five guineas. John Wallis, alias Fox, Richard Martin and Frances Warren, alias Ballinger (female), for breaking into the house if Eleanor Baines at Hampstead and stealing a quantity of wet linen. John Smith for robbing Isaac Heaton on the highway near Edgeware of a watch, eight guineas and twelve shillings. George Morley for robbing Gerrard Groote on the highway of a watch and some money. Samuel Wilson for counterfeiting silver coins of the Realm. John Lawler for breaking into the house of Judith Stoney in St. Martin’s in the Fields. William Munro for forging a Bill of Exchange for £10 10s. William Busby and Francis Burke for returning from transportation before the expiry of their term.
They were hanged by Edward Dennis and William Brunskill. It is strange that the protocol was printed in full in the press but the first execution under it only received the coverage that I have written here.
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