The Inquest.

Hastings Standard, Issue 388, 2 August 1897, Page 3

The Inquest.

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. Gisborne, August 1. It was a most affecting scene in the morgue when the members of the crew were brought into the small room to identify the bodies of their dead companions laid out on the floor at their feet. There were present the chief officer, the purser, chief forecabin steward, and about half a-dozeu other men, and as the faces of the bodies were uncovered before them exclamations were heard such as this : " There's Harry, poor old chap." "Poor Bollard, that's him." "Yes, that's Sandy Alexander." " Did he have a ring on his finger ? He said that we would know him by that when he was found." "Poor Sandy." " That's my mate." "That's Conway." " That's M'Guire," and lastly when M'Nellie's face was uncovered he was clearly identified, and not a few manly tears were shed. " For," said one of them, " he was the finest seaman on the ship," and then someone began to relate M'Nellie's brave conduct in the carpenter's boat. One poor fellow broke out as he looked at his comrade, " Harry, old chap, why did you not stay with me ? If you had Kept by me you would have been safe." The passenger could not be identified ; no one seemed to know him, though Sir Ivnowles, the purser, said he remembered seeing him as a passenger on board. The identification being over the men trooped solemnly and reverently out, and one or two stooped over their friends to give them a parting word. Then all assembled at the British Empire Hotel, where the inquest was held before Mr Coroner Booth. The names mentioned in the coroner's warrant were John M'Nellie ; an unidentified passenger ; Harry Bollard, assistant fore-cabin steward ; Thomas Conway, pantry - man ; Alexander Woods, chief cook ; and W T illiam M'Guire, second pantry-man. Evidence was given by George Oman (hotelkeeper, Mumvai), Cyril Yvhite (station manager), Constable Smith, Sergeant Black, Frederick Kuowles (purser of the Tasmania), William Crome (fore-cabin steward), and Alexander Stette. The coroner said the case was a very painful one for the jury. It was one of drowning, and he thought they would find it was accidental drowning. The jury returned a verdict accord-