DEATH OF A SHIP’S OFFICER.

Wairarapa Age, 8 February 1927, Page 5

DEATH OF A SHIP’S OFFICER.

UNSAFE CONDITIONS. CORONER ON RESPONSIBILITY. DUNEDIN, February 7. An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Shepherd, fourth officer of the steamer Trevonian, wlio was killed whilst the vessel virf.s unloading cargo at Dunedin Wharf on January 18, was concluded yesterday. The Coroner (Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) found that deceased’s death was due to shock following on injuries caused by his being crushed by a case acMentally falling down the hold of the ship. The Coroner, in giving his verdict, said that it was unfortunate that the evidence of the ship’s officers was not available, particularly that of the officer whose conduct was in question. Tt was unfortunate that deceased was working in the lower hold, clearing dunnage, when the case fell down the hold, causing injuries to which he later succumbed. The evidence showed that planks were not available to completely cover the hatchway, which meant that the men in the lower hold were working under unsafe conditions. The gazetted regulations made it the duty of tiie officer in charge to see to the security of the hatches. He was loath to make comment in the absence of the officer concerned, but the evidence 1 showed that the second mate was in charge of the situation at the time, ami either through neglect of duty or oversight, allowed the work to proceed.— (P.A.)