DROWNED AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 11

DROWNED AT SEA

MAHENO'S MISSING PASSENGER OPEN VERDICT RETURNED An open verdict was returned at the adjourned inquiry this morning concerning the loss overboard from s.s. Maheno of Charles Alexander Burnett, a passenger who went missing either on February -2 or February 3, the coroner (Mr J.'R. Bartholomew, S.M.) finding that deceased was drowned at sea from s.s. Maheno on February <2 or 3, there being no evidence to show how he had got into the sea. Sergeant Thom conducted proceedings for the police, and Mr T. O’Shea appeared for the relatives of the deceased. Richard Anthony Joseph said that on January 31 he boarded the Maheno at Melbourne, being given a cabin in company with four others, among whom was the deceased Burnett. Deceased was very quiet during the voyage and spoke to no one. He would go up for his meals and come straight back to his cabin. On the Saturday evening witness was in his bunk reading a book, and Burnett said to him: “ i think I’ll go up and have a drink.” That was the last witness saw of him. Deceased had not been in bed, and next morning witness informed the steward. Deceased could not be found, and the ship was searched.

To Mr O’Shea: Witness said that deceased looked as it’ he were ill. He very seldom went on deck, remaining most of the time in his bunk.

Adeline Julia Burnett, widow of the deceased, said that her husband left New Zealand in November last, travelling by the Maunganui. He went to Sydney for health reasons, and left on his return by the Maheno. Ho was a returned soldier, and suffered from war injuries. He had been in ill-health for some time, but had never threatened to commit suicide. To Mr O’Shea: Her husband had served in both the Boer War and the late war. it had been her intention to get someone to accompany him on his return, and his coming on the Maheno was a complete surprise to her. He was usually of a bright disposition and was rather good company.

The coroner said that the evidence showed that deceased suffered from war injuries and had been in a bad state of health. He had been discharged from hospital in Sydney on January 30, and boarded the Maheno the next day. As a result of his ill-health he appeared to be in a reserved and depressed state of mind. He was last seen on the evening of February 2, when the Maheno was some 200 miles off Bluff. He disappeared, and it was obvious that he had got overboard, and there was nothing to show how ho had got overboard, though it might be remarked that the weather was calm.

A verdict was then returned as given above,