RECENT DROWNING ACCIDENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 462, 12 April 1890, Page 4

RECENT DROWNING ACCIDENT.

" Auckland, April 7The body of the late Mr Henry Talbot, third officer of the Persian Empire, who was drowned a week ago in the harbour, has been recovered. Mr H. F. Windsor, who was going down the harbour yesterday about 11 a.in. with a party of friends in his steam launch, observed a corpse floating in the harbour off the Calliope Dock. Returning to town, Mr Windsor informed the water police of the discovery. Constable McDonnell, Mr Inwood (chief officer of the Persian Empire) and Detective Hughes took a waterman’s boat, and were towed down to where the body was found. It was taken into the boat, wrapped in a sail, and covered with the Union Jack, and Mr Windsor then kindly towed the party back to the wharf. The body was identified by its clothing. It is greatly decomposed, with the entiro lower jaw missing. The neck was found to bo broken, and this fact points to tho conclusion that the unfortunate young fellow was killed by the revolving paddles of the ferry steamer which picked up the persons he was endeavouring to save whfen he met his death. Capt. Hay, of the Persian Empire, and the gallant young fellow’s old fellow officers, are much gratified that the body has been found. It is proposed to grant Mr Talbot’s remains a public funeral, as a token of appreciation of his bravery in attempting to save life. All the shipping in the harbour flew their flags at half-mast to-day. THE INQUEST.

At 10 o’clock this forenoon Dr. Philson, Coroner, held an inquest in Gleason’s Hotel, Custom-street West, into the circumstances attending the death of the late Mr Talbot. Sergeant Clarke and Constable McDonnell represented the police. After viewing the body, the evidence of Constable McDonnell, Captain Hay, Mr Inwood, and others, was taken respecting the circumstances under which the deceased officer appeared to have met his death, an open verdict of “ Accidentally drowned” was returned. There was no direct evidence to show that Mr Talbot met bis death through being struck by the paddle wheel of the Britannia, though tho fact of the vertebrae of the neck having been broken seems to point in that direction, So far it only remains to be surmised whether die young sailor died through drowning or through injuries received from the steamer under which he was carried by the current,