DEATH OF SHIPMASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19453, 8 October 1926, Page 10

DEATH OF SHIPMASTER.

LATE CAPTAIN OF MARAMA.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. OPEN VERDICT AT INQUEST. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The inquest into the death of Captain R. A. Williamson, f formerly commander of the Marama, who mysteriously disappeared on September 15 and whose body was found yesterday floating in the harbour, was heid to-day before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. The marine superintendent of the Union Steamship Company, Captain Foster, gave evidence to the effect that the deceased 1 arrived in Wellington from Auckland on the morning of September 15. The deceased had been specially sent for and he reached the head office at 9.35 a.m., leaving again at 9.50 a.m. He was instructed to return at noon, but he failed to do so. In answer to Mr. Brown, who watched the proceedings on behalf of the widow, witness stated that the rumoufs current about the deceased were without foundation and groundless. Any point which had needed clearing up had been explained to the entire satisfaction of the company. Detective Tricklebank said he was talking to the deceased, whom he knew well, on the morning of the 15th. Deceased appeared to be normal, but somewhat tired after his journey. He last saw him walking toward Thorndon. The coroner said there was nothing to show that the deceased was in anything but normal health. He had been found drowned in Wellington Harbour, but there was no evidence to show how he had got into the water. The funeral of the late Captain Williamson took place this afternoon. About 50 members of the Merchant Service Guild attended) Mrs. Williamson, widow of deceased, was the chief mourner.