DEATH AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19907, 29 September 1926, Page 11

DEATH AT SEA

A STEWARD’S ALLEGATIONS CHARGES OF CARELESSNESS. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, September 28. Allegations into the way in which the ship's doctor on board the steamer lonic looked after a member of the crew during an illness to which he succumbed on the way to New Zealand were made m the Magistrate’s Court, when Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. (acting as coroner), conducted an inquiry into the death of Reginald Denniston, aged 47 years, who was employed as an assistant steward on the Captain Jackson said he visited the quarters of the sick man daily, and so far as he could see Denniston _ had been attended to properly all the time. No complaints in regard to his treatment had be* made. ' . , Herbert Edwin Barnsley, assistant steward on the lonic, stated that on August 24 Denniston complained that he felt ill. Witness advised him to see the doctor, but the latter could not be found, so he advised Denniston to go to bed. The following morning Denniston still complained, but up to that time ihe ships doctor had not seen him- That officer visited a man named Walter, but did not go near Denniston till 3 p.m. that day. When Denniston’s illness had bqen form* ally reported, witness heard Dr Brennon say he would give the patient something that would make him perspire. The next day was very hot. Denniston complained of the heat of his sleeping apartment. Witness took him on deck to get him fresh air. He was placed in a chair covered with bed clothes. At 4 p.m. he was taken back to his bunk. On August 27 Denniston was removed to the ship’s hospital, where witness visited him three times. As the result of these visits witness made a complaint to Captain Jackson, and said he intended to report the matter when the vessel arrived in Wellington. Captain Jackson said he would hold witness re■sponsible for Denniston’s condition, as he had taken him on deck and given him ice water, contrary to the doctor’s instructions. The captain also said he intended to take proceedings against witness for undermining the discipline of the crew. When witness again visited Denniston in the hospital Dr Brennan told him that Denniston was in a serious condition, and that he (witness) was responsible. Witness then told the chief steward that he intended to charge Dr Brennon with neglect. Denniston died on September 5, and was buried at sea. In reply to a question, witness said that he did not ask the doctor’s permission to take Denniston on deck. The doctor seemed to regard his condition as trivial. The inquiry was then adjourned, and will be resumed when the ship returns to Wellington.