DEATH OF THE MASTER OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 99, 9 October 1863, Page 4

DEATH OF THE MASTER OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN.

The district coroner for Willinmstown, Dr Wil:lkins, held an inquest yesterday, nt the Pier Hotel. towelling the death of James Davy 3, lute master vi .;l.}«c Black Bull Line ship Southern Ocean. The jfattil event occurred two days after the ship left | ; :tbjs port, outward bound for Callao, and no little I'iConsterntTtien was caused by the recoDtion of a i|Vclegram from Queenscliff on ifonday evening :jflst, stating that the ship h,id put back on account <ly( the deatli>of the captain, who, it was allcrlged, jiiad bjen killed 'by the second oflicer. The prin- , cipal witnesses examined at the inquest were {■he '.'chief aaafce ann 1 two able seamen, who testified to ; tho ciswstnstances in connection with the affair. 3V'lcdical testimony as 'to the nature and extent of iitlie injuries sustaineti by Oaptain Davys was given ;l>y Mr D. P. Maclean, surgeon. The inquiry .Hasted for several hours, and resulted in the fol|jlowing verdict. — "That the deceased James i-Davys, late master of the ship Southern O^ean, f! M*as accidentally killed on September 20th, 1563, i- s from a fall off the deck-douse on the main-deck, ! whilst in a state of intoxication*" The demeanour iof the second officer during tho investigation was '•'■ expressive of distress and regret at the tragic fate l'/'of his late eomraandei", and also of the trying ': position in which he himself was for the time being, \ placed, Several of the ships in port had their .colours hoisted half-mast as a formal mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. — Argus.