DEATH AT SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1926, Page 3

DEATH AT SEA

INQU EST PROCEED I NOS. [iJY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. September 28. Allegations into the way in which the ship’s doctor on board the lonic | looked after a member of the crew during an illness to which he .succumbed j on the way to New Zealand were made in the Magistrate's Court when G. W. | Riddell (acting us coroner} conducted ' an inquiry into the death of Reginald 1 Denniston, aged 47, who was employed ' as an assistant steward on the ship, j Captain Jackson said he visited the quarters of the sick man daily, and so j far as lie could see Denniston had been ; attended to properly all the time. No j complaints in regard to his treatment j had been made. \ Herbert Edwin Barnsley (assistant ; steward on the lonic) stated on Aug- 1 use 2 1 tli Denniston complained that he j felt ill. Witness advised (um to see i the doctor, but the latter could not lie | found, so he advised Denniston to go i to lied. I The following morning Denniston ; still complained but up to that time the shin’s doctor had not seen him. That officer visited a man named Wnlfcer. but did not go near Denniston till 3 p.m. that day, when Denniston’s illness had been formally reported. Witness heard Dr Brennon say' lie would give the patient something to make him perspire. The next day was very hot and Denniston complained of the heat, of the sleeping apartment, and witness tool, him on deck to get fresh air. He was placed in a chair and covered with bed clothes. At 4 p.m. he was taken back to the bunk and on August 27th Denniston was removed to the hospital, where witness risted him three times. As a result of i those visits witness laid a complaint to ! Captain Jackson, and said be intended to report the matter when the ship arrived at Wellington. j Captain Jackson said he would hold witness responsible 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 tlie discipline of tlie crew. When witness again visited Denniston in the hospital, Doctor Brennon told him that Denniston was in a serious condition and that lie (witness) was responsible. Witness then told the chief steward that he intended to charge Dr Brennon with neglect. Denniston died on September sth and was buried at sea. In reply to a question witness said he did not ask the doctor’s permission to take Denniston on the deck. The doctor seemed to,regard his condition as trivial. The inquiry was then adjourned and will lie resumed when the ship returns to Wellington.