SUDDEN DEATH OF THE THIRD ENGINEER ON BOARD THE STEAMER AIREDALE.
A very sudden case of death occurred on board the steamer Airedale, on Wednesday morning, while lying at the Government Wharf here. An inquest was held at Mr. Jasper's Pier Hotel. It appeared from the evidence before the coroner's jury that James Hunter, the third engineer of the Airedale, was employed with the second engineer, James Meikle, and one of the trimmers, in lifting the rose of the bilge pump through the floor of the engineroom.
James Meikle deposed that the deceased was lying on his breast, leaning on the engine-room plates, with both hands through the floor, lifting the rose (a lead box, weighing from 50 to 56 pounds), to which was attached a rope, with which the second engineer and the other man were assisting to raise it. The fires were out at the time, and the engine was not in motion. Nothing moved or struck deceased, and witness, who was close beside him, stated that after he had been about ten minutes employed he heard him give one or two groans, accompanied with a snorting sound. He seemed to be falling, and witness lifted him up, apparently in a fit, and he never spoke. Water, with some brandy in it, was brought immediately, but he could not swallow, and he died in a few minutes.
The evidence of Benjamin Taylor was corroborative of that of the preceding witness.
Dr. Irvine deposed, that being at the Port this morning he was called on board the Airedale. On going down to the engine-room he saw deceased lying on his back motionless, and on examination of the body found that he was quite dead. From the appearances he then presented, I judged that he died from disease of the heart. There was no other cause assignable, and from the evidence given by the other wituesses that opinion is confirmed. I have made an external examination of the body, and it presented no signs of violence, nor anything to contradict the opinion I first formed. I have no doubt whatever that he died from an internal cause, and in all probability that cause was organic disease of the heart.
Captain Ferguson stated to the jury that deceased had been with him for the past twenty months, and that there was no steadier or more exemplary man on board the ship.
Verdict in accordance with the evidence. It appears that deceased's father died instantaneously from heart disease.
The unfortunate man was the sole support of a widowed mother and a lame brother, who live in, Sydney. -Colonist, 14/7/1865.
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