DEATH OF A SHIP'S OFFICER.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

DEATH OF A SHIP'S OFFICER.

RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT.

(From "The, Colonist," June 26.) '■■ Mr. John, Kidson, second mate of the Waimea, died in the Hospital yesterday # as the result of an accident he met with on Monday' when the Wainiea was. at Richmond Bay, Peloru s^ Son tkJ, loading sheep. Mr. Kidson slipped on the deck and struck a sheep pen, sustaining internal injuries which did not become apparent for some time. On the arrival of the Waimea at Nelson on Thursday, Dr. Barr attended Mr. Kidson on board1, and ordered Ms removal to tho Hospital. It was found that the injuries were of a very serious nature, necessitating an operation, which was performed yesterday morning. Mr. Kidson did not rally, however, and died shortly afterwards. Mr. Kidson, who was about 42 years of age, had been for many years m the Anchor Company's service. He leaves a widow and several children. Tho flags on the Anchor Company's office and the Anchor vessels m nort were flown at half-mast yesterday as a tribute of respect to the deceased officer.

(From "The Colonist," July 1.) An inquest was held hy Mr J S Avails (Coroner) at the Courthouse yesterday afternoon touching the death of Mr John Kidson, second officer of the steamer Waimea. •

Constable Wade conducted, the inquest, and Mr C. J. Harley watched the proceedings on behalf of the AnchoCompany. Robert W. W. Elliott, second engineer on the Waimea, stated that tho ■ship was loading sheep .it Richmond Bay, Pelorus Sound, on Monday, Juno 21st. There was a race f 1-9111 the wharf to the hatch, and the fittings were ail secure. Deceased was keeping i,ho sheep moving in the race. A sheep stopped, and he took hold of it by the wool. The sheep pulled back, and deceased over-reached hiii'self, and slipped on the race. Deceased worked on till the loading was completed four hours afterwards. Just after the steamer got away deceased tola witness that he had' hurt himself by the fall. Deceased turned in about 5 o'clock, and remained in bed. The ship went from the Sounds to Castlecliff, Wanganui, then left for Nelson, arriving here, on Thursday at mid-day. Deceased got up while the ship was at Castleeliff, but he was in great pain.He would not have a doctor, as he fear*-d the doctor would order him ashore, and deceased wanted to com^i oh to Nelson.

Edward Graham, master of the Waimea, deposed that the fittings for loading the sheep were in good order, and Nthe deck was quite sale: After tho steamer left the Sounds/deceased complained to witness that he had hurt his stomach against the race fittings. The cook pub hot clothe; on deceased's stomach On arrival at Castlecliff, witness suggested that deceased should see a doctor, but ho declined, as he was anxious to get back to Nelson. On arrival at Nelson a doctor was sent for.

W. Roger,s, manager for the Anchor Company, stated that the Waimea made n special trip from Castlecliff in order to land deceased at Nelson, and then left in continuation of her voyage to Westport. Witness, in reply to Mr Harley, said that this was mentioned in the entries in the log. When deceased told him he Avas hurt witness did not think it serious; neither did deceased. Dr. Barr deposed that he saw the deceased at the wharf on Thursday, Jane 24th, and found him suffering from a bad hernia. He ordered his removal to the hospital. It was not possible to jdo anything for him at the "wharjF. .AT'the""'Kospital the next day it was- decided-to- perform an operation —there was no alternative. He was present at the operation; also Drs. H. O- AVashbourn. Johnston, and H. E. A. Washbourn. Everything possible was jdone for the deceased, who collapsed while under the anaesthetic By Mr Harley: The operation Avas not 'performed. s l>r. WasMiourn gave evidence that the hernia was old-standing, and had been aggravated by the accident. The Coroner found that deceased died Avhile about to undergo an operation for hernia, which had- become aggravated by the hurt received on tho •vessel. Everything possible, he said, had been done for the deceased, both on the ship and at the hospital. There was no blame attached to anyone.