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British Deaths At Sea

Where to look for a record of death at sea?

Otago Witness 24 January 1880 page 18 Death.
On 22nd December, 1879, on board the ship Marlborough, in latitude 45.8 S., longitude 78.2 E., Robert Lees, son of the late Major James Lees, Port Chalmers; aged 8 years; deeply regretted.

Death Certificates of deaths at sea are obtained from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in the same way as any other certificates of births, deaths and marriages.  When you search the indexes be aware of mistakes in spelling, perhaps more so than in the general indexes of BMD.  Death certificate for a death at sea through the Civil Registration of England and Wales - actually have more information regular death certificate. The entries in ship logs should have been extracted.  If you know the name of the ship, check the log, in case of omissions and because you may find other details.

Scottish Indexes can be accessed by direct computer link from Family Records Centre, London to New Register House in Edinburgh. They may be searched in any year from 1855 to date. Compulsory registration of BDM was also introduced in Scotland in 1855 and 1837 in England.  If a the death has been reported to a Scottish Registrar, after 1855, it is recorded in the deaths under "MR" Marine Records. "A notice of death" at sea is sometimes is signed by the captain of the vessel, giving the deceased's age, place of birth, marital status, cause of death, date and time. Similar records exist in the PRO's in Belfast and Dublin. These indexes also include births and marriages. UK Resources
Records of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen PRO UK Leaflet No. 5

There are no roses on sailors graves,
Nor wreaths upon the storm tossed waves,
No last post from the Royals band,
So far away from their native land,
No heartbroken words carved on stone,
Just shipmates bodies floating there alone,
The only tributes are the seagulls sweeps,
And the teardrop when a loved one weeps.

Burials at Sea

The body would be carried on deck to lie in one of the deck houses prior to burial which was often conducted quietly in the cold starry night, sometimes midnight, or in the early hours of the morning with the burial service being performed by a clergyman if there was one on board, or the master of the vessel. The four hours after midnight are called the "churchyard" watch or the second watch.  Bodies were placed in a bare coffin maybe draped with the red ensign or an Union Jack flag, others were just canvas wrapped before consigned to the sea at the gangway. "Just lash him up wi' some holystone in a clout o'rotten sail,"  "At a sign they twitched the ensign back and tipped the grating,  A creamier bubbling broke the brine.  The muffled figure tilted to the weighted;"  The mate might hold a lantern, and the doctor or his assistant hold the bare coffin on the edge of the ship side.  Family members would be present dressed in their Sunday best, to see the service was done right and anyone else they asked to be present.  At a certain part of the service the body would be committed to the waves and the Lords Prayer repeated and everyone goes their respective ways.  Burials services were also performed the day after the event, during the day, and the body would be committed by the clergyman to the deep in the presence of all the emigrants, officers and crew all bare headed.

Burials on the 1874 'Atrato' voyage occurred at 0800. "both children were sewed up in sail cloth in the usual manner and the two little bundles lashed together, I cannot help thinking they looked like a bundle of washing.  The Doctor read the service as the Captain was unwell.  The little things were lowered gently down in the water and sank in the deep blue sea quick out of sight."   "On May 29th 1874 a child was buried this morning and the father required the Captain to give him the exact Latitude (44'26°) S and Longitude (115° E.) as he required this information to be put on a tombstone at home." Reference: Alfred's Diary 

The log of the ship will possibly give further details, including the map reference where the death took place, and if the person was buried at sea then those details will also be given. If an BDM event was recorded in a ship's log and this log may have been preserved.

For obvious reasons, in most cases the deceased passenger was buried at sea unless the ship had, some type of refrigeration which was not frequent on passenger type ships.  If the ship was expected at a port within a very short time, within a day or two, of the event they might wrap the body and wait until they docked so it may be worth checking for a burial in the port.  An old sailor's last request may be to have a burial at sea, in the land of the Mermaids!

Examples of Deaths at Sea posted in newspapers

West Briton February19, 1841
Loss of Life at New Zealand
The following persons were drowned by the upsetting of a boat, on the 15th of August, at Britannia, the new name of the capital of New Zealand:
Mr. John PIERCE, late of Birmingham
Mr. W. ELSDON, late of London
Mr. Richard HIGHT
Mr. J. LANCASTER, late of London
Mr. Josias TUCKER, late of Cornwall
Mr. GRIFFIN, late of the "Cuba"
Mr. ROGERS, late of Cornwall
Mr. MARTIN, mariner

Daily Southern Cross, 29 March 1850, Page 2
A melancholy occurrence took place on board the "Clara," during her regent passage from London, to Auckland. On Saturday, the 23rd' February; at 7.30 a.m., £he ship being then in latitude 41 43' S. longitude 118° 23' E., Charles Smith, seaman, a native of Copenhagen, who had previously evinced symptoms of insanity, but which were, not then considered to be such, was missed from on board. His Testament, which he had been reading, was found open in his berth, but no clue to account for the lamentable casualty that had taken place. About two or three weeks previous he had been ill, and imagined "the people had a down upon him." The only conclusion, therefore, to be come to, is, that he threw himself overboard in a fit of temporary insanity.

The Times, Monday, Sep 09, 1850; pg. 5
The family of Mr John Ellis, a stable-keeper in the Commercial-road-East, have received , per the Cornelia, Captain Mickleburg, from Wellington, New Zealand, the tidings of the murder of John Ellis, son of the above, on board the ship General Palmer, in Port Nicholson, in the early part of April last. Ellis served an apprenticeship to Messrs Somes, the shipowners of Ratcliffe, and had been out of his time about 10 months, was appointed charge of the General Palmer, after the crew had quitted her, and she laid up in Port Nicholson in consequence of her leaky condition. He had charge of all the ships stores and was in the practice of coming on shore every morning to transact business with Mr Kenneth Bethune, a merchant and agent of the ship. He came acquainted with four men, named W. Good, alias William Frederick Henderson, a deserter from the 65th Regiment; M. Coslin, John Jones, and Thompson, and they were in the practice of visiting him on board ship. Resolved that he had above 20L wages and other property in his possession, they resolved on his murder.

The New Zealander October 1850 Saturday the 26th
FATAL ACCIDENT AT SEA - We have to record the following melancholy accident, which took place on board the brig Moa, on the 15th instant. It appears that Joseph PAGE, a young man 19 years of age, whilst double reefing the main-top-sail, fell from the weather yard arm, struck the ship's rail, and fell overboard. He was supposed to have been killed, for he sunk immediately under water; the ship at the time making no head way.

Daily Southern Cross, 12 November 1850
The 'Catherine Johnstone' which arrived here on Wednesday, brought intelligence of a sad accident which occurred on board early on Saturday morning last. The cutter had sailed from Taranaki on Friday evening, bound to Wellington, the matter, Mr. J. D. Murphy, having come on board about sunset. About midnight, the man in charge, named Armstrong, aroused Murphy to assist in shortening sail, and on this being done, the master himself took the helm, and directed Armstrong and a passenger who came on deck to assist (there were two passengers) to go below. About 3 o'clock in the morning, or as near that time as could be judged — Armstrong and the passengers were awoke by Murphy crying out for assistance ; and on rushing to the deck, they found that the boom of the cutter had jibed, and that the master was overboard, for his voice was heard once or twice in the wake of the vessel. She was rounded as quickly as possible, and laid-to until daylight, but no trace of Murphy was seen. There was a very heavy sea running at the time. The unfortunate deceased has left a wife and large family.— Nelson Examiner, Oct. 26.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 61, 28 October 1857, Page 3
Lyttelton Times October the 7th
The Glentanner, which arrived on the 3rd October, having been 113 days out from Gravesend. She had met with bad weather and heavy squalls off the Cape, in one of which, on the 20th August, the vessel was thrown on her beam ends, when every effort was made to take in all sail. By this accident Captain Bruce had the misfortune to lose one able seaman, Augustus Silva, who was knocked off the mizen topgallant yard.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 7 December 1859, Page 2
The ship Christopher Newton, from London, arrived iv harbour on Sunday last, after a passage of 117 days. She sailed from Gravesend on the 27th July, and left Land's End on the 8th August. Captain Menzies reports having spoken the barque Satisfaction off the Cape, from London bound to Melbourne, out 74 days, all well. Charles Guthrie, an apprentice, died on the passage of dysentery. The passage, on the whole was a pleasant one. Mr. Turner, an old colonist, is a passenger by her ; he has brought out some breeding stock, including pheasants, hares, and an entire horse from one of the best racing studs in England. The Christopher Newton is one of Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.'s line of packets. She has brought out a valuable cargo, and is consigned to Messrs. Bowler, Son, and Co. — Id. Wellington Advertiser, Nov. 23.

Southern Cross Tuesday January 17th 1860 pg2
The Nimroud came to anchor off the Queen-street Wharf. Her dates are, Plymouth the 16th September, the Deserters on the 5th October, and San Antonio on the 13th October. The line was crosses on the 23rd Oct., in 25° 43'. and the Meridian of the Cape crossed on the 22nd Nov., in 42° 20'. Her lowest latitude subsequently was 47°. On the night of the 18th Nov., a passenger, Mr Duncan John McNeill unfortunately fell over board and was drowned.

Daily Southern Cross, 19 January 1863, Page 3
MUTINY AND LOSS OF LIFE ON THE HIGH SEAS.
Through the kindness of Captain R. Edwards, of the American barque ' Nightingale,' just arrived in port, we are enabled to supply the authentic particulars, of the mutiny on board that vessel, and the fatal consequences attending it. She took her departure from San Francisco on Monday, November 24. We extract from the official log — Sunday, November 30.— Lat. 31 '35 N., long. 12953. This morning's watch has been the scene of u sad, and perhaps, fatal disaster. A true statement of which I will now insert. At seven o'clock a.m. we kept off to make the Sandwich Islands, to save life if possible. As it is my duty to make a plain statement of this Bad accident, I will do it, and make a fair and impartial one. On the 23rd of this month we left San Francisco, bound for Auckland, Now Zealand, in the barque 'Nightingale'
    Everything wont on very pleasant until this morning, at four o'clock. I went on deck to relieve the second mate, Mr. Wilson. I found the ship all aback S.E., the wind about south, very dark, and looking squally. The wheel had been relieved by Peter Hunt, one of my watch, without my knowing it, — a thing that ought never to be done under such circumstances. The captain hearing a noise came on deck, and asked the man at the wheel why in thunder he did not look out for the ship. Peter Hunt made some saucy reply, when the captain struck him with the flat of his hand. At this Peter Hunt cried out, " You old b_______ ; I will cut your guts out." It being very dark, the captain caught him by the arms, and cried out for the second mate to take his knife away. At this some of the crew, among them Peter Melinder, came running aft, using very abusive language...This Peter Melinder, a shipmae of Peter Hunt, had again mixed in the trouble without any reason whatever. He was making a great noise, swearing he would have none of this d___d work, and threatening to knife any one would touch him, and insisted on seeing the captain. He talked very abusively, and showed a mutinous spirit, and appeared to be the leader. I tried to get him forward, but could not. Captain Edwards said he would allow no man to threaten to draw a knife on him or his officers. This Peter Melindor replied, " I'm d____d if I wouldn't." Nearly all of the crew were at this time on the poopdeck, and the ship still aback ; and if a squall had struck her, she would have been in a dangerous position. The captain ran below and got his pistol, and came on deck saying he would shoot any man that dared interfere or disobey his orders. He then said, "Where is the man who is making all this trouble and noise on board." This Peter Melinder cried out. "here I am, God d___d you." The captain ordered him forward — at the same tine lifting his pistol. It went off before the last words had passed his mouth. The ball struck Peter Melinder in the left jaw. The men took him forward, when Captain Edwards ordered me to have the man brought aft, which was done, and all the aid rendered the man that was possible.
    Tuesday, Dec. 2nd. - lat. 27 59N., long. 133 19. At 4 o'clock this p.m , Captain Edwards and I went below to see Peter Melinder. After the captain stating to him the cause of the trouble and telling him if he had kept away there would have been no more trouble, which he allowed. The captain asked him if he had any ill-feeling towards him. He said he had not, and freely forgave the captain. The captain also stated that if anything should happen to him he would give his wife five hundred dollars. In proof of the above I have the following witnesses — C. E. Allen, Oliver Wilson. Mclinder's wife resides at No. 66, Oliver-street, N., City N. Y , with Mrs. Somerfeldt.
    Tuesday, December 16. At 7 p.m., Peter Melinder began to bleed again very freely, much to the alarm of all hands, but the rush of blood was soon stopped by the prompt attention of the captain and crow. The cause was attributed to his moving about so much, to which the captain is greatly opposed and has advised him several limes to keep as still as possible.
Wednesday, December 17th. Lat. 41' S., long. l43.Ol. At 7 pm Peter Melinder [a Dutch seaman] began to bleed again, but not as bad as last night.
Thursday, December 18th. Lat. 4.01 S., long. 143.06. At half-past 11 p.m., the wounded man began to bleed again, and after all our efforts for his recovery expired at 12.30 p.m. At 5 o'clock this morning the captain sewed him up in his bedclothes. We then took him on deck and covered him with the colours. At 7 a.m. called all hands, set the ensign half-mast and hove the main yard aback. Then after a brief but affecting ceremony we committed the body to the deep. At 9 a.m. I brought Peter Melinder's clothes aft, and took a list of them. (List given on Friday, December 19th).

Otago Witness 5 June 1865 pg 19
 H.M.S. Harrier - Loss of Lieutenant Jerroham and a sailor on the voyage of H.M.S. Harrier from Auckland (in November) to England. On February 14, in lat. 19 20S., long. 26.4 W., the Dauntless was signalled by the Harrier, and two boats being seen to put off the ship was hove to. A boat with a Sub-Lieutenant came alongside, and one with a First-Lieutenant, who told Captain Moore that whilst the boats were being lowered a sailor had fallen overboard, and sank before assistance could be given him. The object of sending to the dauntless was that word might be conveyed to the senior officer on the New Zealand station that while the vessel was lying at the Falkland Islands Lieutenant Jerroham left for the purpose of having a day's shooting, and through the ship lay at the island for some after, he never returned. The Harrier left the Falkland Islands on the 28th January for England.

Otago Witness 9th Sept. 1865 pg 12
On Saturday night a seaman, named Edward Ocklay, supposed to be a Swede, belonging to the Mary Van Every, lost his life in a very melancholy manner. He attempted to step on board the brigantine Despatch, and fell down between the vessel and the jetty.

Otago Witness 9 Sept. 1865 pg 9
During the Shamrock's detention at the Heads, the captain with the ship's boat being in town, his wife expressed a wish to go on shore. A young man immediately volunteered to swim ashore and fetch off the pilot boat for her. She, however, tried to persuade him from such an attempt, but he, persisting in his offer, changed his clothes and jumped overboard. He had not gone far when his strength failed him and he sank. The deceased's name was Charles Stanley, and he was working his passage from Lyttelton to Wanganui.

Otago Witness Saturday 23 Sept. 1865 pg 12
A man named George Wilkinson was drowned in the Upper Harbor on Friday. Along with a settler named McNaughton he was managing a punt laden with firewood, on their way to Dunedin. It was blowing strongly, and the punt began to sink. The deceased left his oar and jumped overboard and attempted to swim ashore. McNaughton held on and was rescued by Mr De Lacey. The decease was a native of London, and was recently discharged from the steamer New Zealand, while that vessel was undergoing repairs at Dunedin.

Otago Witness Saturday 23 Sept. 1865 pg 16
(From the Wellington Independent, Sep. 14)
The unexpected and untimely death of Dr John Macadam, during his passage from Melbourne to Dunedin. It will be remembered that the deceased, who was Analytical Chemist to Victorian Government, visited Otago for the purpose of giving evidence on the trail of Captain Jarvey, who was charged with poisoning his wife by the administration of strychnine. The stomach and liver of the unfortunate women had been previously sent to Melbourne for analysis. The trail at is time resulted in the discharge of the jury without returning a verdict. Dr Macadam returned to Melbourne, but, during the passage, he met with an accident on board the steamer, by which several of his ribs were broken and confined to his room for several months. He wanted to be present at the new trail. He took passage on the Alhambra which left Melbourne on August 29.. The passage only occupied five days, and yet the unfortunate gentlemen expired two day's before the steamer's arrival at Bluff. John Drummond Kirkland, Dr Macadam's assistant, was also on board and he became an expert witness at the trail. John Macadam was a native of Glasgow in which city and in Edinburgh he studied his profession. He established a small laboratory in High John Street, Glasgow. He entered medical classes of the Glasgow University. Became a Dr of Medicine an a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Arrived in Victoria in 1856.

Otago Witness  Oct. 21 1865. pg12 The first execution of a criminal in the Province of Otago -Mr William Andrew Jarvey was hunged for murder of his wife. The execution took place within the goal. Mrs Jarvey died 13months ago on 26th September 1864. Mrs Sly, a neigbour of the deceased and his wife, and an important witness as to the state of Mrs Jarvey's body immediately after death, had also died between June and September.

Otago Witness Oct. 6 1865 pg11
The body of a man was found on Tuesday in Otago harbor, near Upper Portobello. It was understood to be the body of David Jack, who was drowned on the 5th July last, while working the lighter Edward. The body was removed by the Water Police to the dead house at Port Chalmers.

Otago Witness October 14 1865 pg 15
Loss of the iron Ship Van Cappellan, Captain Sewell, from Calcutta for Hull. A heavy squall struck her on the port tack, heeling her over on her starboard beam ends and the crew failed to right her. The boats were cut adrift. The ship disappeared with Capt. Sewell, and Mr L. Price, chief officer, John Stone, the cook, John Herman, seaman, H. Funck, A.B., and George Allan, apprentice, leaving 16 hands clinging to the bottom of a small boat, spars, hencoop, &c. Robert Hamilton decided what happened. Horrible deaths, starvation and cannibalism. Five seamen survived out of sixteen. drifted in a boat for fifteen days dying from exhaustion and the want of food. Wm Allan, A.B., George Liberty, A.B., Joseph Pash and Hugh Howard, steward, persisted in eating the meat of the shark, but they became delirious, and died in the evening. Thomas Price, second officer died on 27th. High Price, A.B., and Smith, acting second officer died. Drank the blood of Coonan and Smith. 29th Andrew Driver died. Rescued by the ship Naturalist, from Calcutta to London. Robert Hamilton, the carpenter, A. Cooper, Charles Eade, Alfred Ralph and Antonio Nicholas taken onboard. It seems that the boat was seen by a passing vessel since arrived in London, on the day after their own ship foundered, but it thought, as represented, that they might be prates, the ship sailed away without rendering them help. At that time the whole of the sixteen men were alive in the boat....

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 21 June 1866, Page 2
The ship Queen of the North, 113 days out from London, arrived at Auckland on the 11th instant, with eighty-four emigrants and a large general cargo. A circumstance of a painful nature occurred during the passage. On the 15th May, William Villier, the second-cabin steward, when in the act of furling the fore-top-gallant-sail missed his hold and fell on the deck, causing instantaneous death.

North Otago Times, 20 August 1867, Page 2
The London "Times" of 30th May, contained a short reference to the death at sea of Captain Brown of the merchant barque Dona Anita. It appears that this vessel, from London, left Plymouth on the 2nd of March for Nelson, New Zealand, with a full general cargo and 25 passengers. On the 14th of April, when approaching the line, the master became ill, and he died on the 17th. Two days after, when 58 miles south of the equator, a homeward-bound ship hove in sight, and the mate signalled for her master to come on board. She proved to be the barque Sanderson, from Ceylon, and Captain Sanderson, who is part owner, instantly answered the request. On obtaining full particulars he remained three hours, and although a stranger to all concerned, he carefully gathered Capt. Brown's effects and papers, excepting his charts and chronometer, and took them and the widow on board his ship. The Dona Anita pursued her course to New Zealand. The Sanderson put in at Plymouth to land the widow. Mrs Brown expresses herself in the most grateful terms for the considerate attention which she received from all on board the Sanderson. Her only child, a son two years old, born at sea off the coast of Peru, left the Dona Anita with her, but unhappily died within two days before reaching Plymouth, and was buried at Saltash on Sunday. The Sanderson remained in the Sound a sufficient time to land the widow, and then proceeded for her destination, London.

Daily Southern Cross, 20 March 1868, Page 3
RECOVERY OF THE SEAMEN OF THE 'FORTUNE.'
By the 'Marwell,' which arrived yesterday from Hokianga, we lean that the bodies of the seamen of the wrecked brig 'Fortune' were washed ashore on the beach to the southward of that place, and interred by the natives who occupy the locality. Their names were:-
Captain Petlev, (of Sydney), master
James Smith, chief officer (formerly matter of the brig 'Drever," of Sydney)
John McGregor, James Pye, Reynold Lumberg, David Mack, John Jones; and the cook and steward, name unknown.

Otago Witness September 18 1869 pg13
Sydney. The Challenger arrived from Wellington on the 6th. A sailor named Sparsholt was drowned on the passage.

New Zealand Herald 8 Nov, 1870
LOGGIE - On October, on board of the s.s. Hero, proceeding to Melbourne, William Buchanan Loggie, aged 26, eldest son of Wm. Loggie, butcher, Auckland. Melbourne and Glasgow papers please copy.

Star Christchurch Friday 27 October 1871 page 3
Bluff - KEENS
The Alhambra left Melbourne on the 21st inst. at 3pm and arrived at the Bluff at 1-30pm. A Mr J.A.Keens, saloon passenger, died from inflammation of the brain on the 25th.

The Times, Wednesday, Jul 19, 1871 pg. 1
On the 21st April, at sea, on board the Zealandia, from Lyttelton to London, Mary Morin, wife of Robert Scott, aged 23.

The Star August 25 1871
John Brown, cook, and James Dick, seaman, were drowned on the passage of the schooner Dunedin from Oamaru to Wellington.

Star Christchurch Monday 30 October 1871  page 2
The schooner Kaiuma, Captain Maule, of this port, arrived at Hokitika yesterday from Wanganui and that the report by Captain TOOMEY of the "Lady Don" is verified. The Cook - Alexander JOHNSTON, a native of Aberdeen was washed overboard but particulars are not to hand.

The Times, Saturday, Jul 20, 1872; pg. 1
The Zealandia on her homeward voyage from port Lyttelton encountered a furious gale in the South Pacific, and after losing overboard her master (Captain White), a steward, and a passenger (Mr Kennaway), got into Valparaiso in a crippled condition. The Zealandia again put to sea towards the end of May, but had not sailed more than 400 miles before a formidable leak was discovered, the ship making water at the rate of one foot per hour. Al hands - even the passengers taking their turns - were sent to the pumps, which were kept going day and night. The ship turned around and reached Valparaiso. The leak was in the fore compartment, and was caused by the bursting of the pipe by which the condenser was supplied. The damage was made good and the ship was expected to leave Valparaiso about June 5.

The Times, Friday, Jun 14, 1872; pg. 12
The British ship Zealandia, from Port Lyttelton, NZ, to London, was struck by a heavy sea, on lat. 53 deg. and long. 104 deg. W., and the captain, and the steward, and a passenger were washed overboard and drowned. The vessel also sustained very extensive damages, and was taken on to Valparaiso by the chief officer, now Captain King, for repairs.

The Times, Monday, May 13, 1872; pg. 13
Greenock, May 9 - The Zealandia, from Hartlepool to Quebec, which put into the Clyde to-day, had encountered a hurricane on May 3, in lat. 61N., long. 6 W., in which the cargo (coals and iron) shifted.

The Times, Thursday, Oct 03, 1872; pg. 1 Deaths
In February last, supposed to have perished in the Glenmark, with all on board, coming from Port Lyttelton, New Zealand, to the great grief of his family Samuel, aged 21, eldest son of Mr S.W. Tomkins, 10 Fulham-place, paddington, London, W.

The Times, Friday, Oct 07, 1864; pg. 1
Glenmark, new Aberdeen clipper, A1, 2,000 tons, John Thompson (late of the Derwentwater), commander. Built especially for the Canterbury trade by Mr W. Duthie, of Aberdeen.

Otago Witness Sep. 6 1873 page 11
Isaac Crisp, a seaman belonging to the ship Allahabad, now alongside the Railway Pier, lost his life by drowning on Wednesday evening. He missed his footing on the hatch placed from the vessel to the Pier, and fell overboard, striking the ship's side with his head. Verdict. Accidental death. "The Government be requested to erect gates across the railway, so as to prevent persons from passing up or down the pier without permission of the watchman. Ships lying at the pier to have sufficient gangway accommodation, with lights and manropes to gangways; as also a rope netting underneath. Same as to prevent accidents."

Otago Witness  Sep 6. 1873 page 12
Arrived Port Chalmers. Sep. 3. Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co.'s A1 powerful clipper ship Peter Denny. 900 tons, Captain Adams has made a nipping passage from the Home country of 81 days and brings to our shores 387 souls (including crew of 38). The deaths on the passage from Greenock were seven all children and three births. The vessel left Tail of the Bank, Greenock, on the 13th June. Passengers: Rev. Mr and Mrs Campbell, Mrs Bissett and 2 children, Messrs Morton, Johnstone, Seaton and 340 in the steerage, including immigrants and assisted passengers. The passengers and immigrants are a healthy looking lot - Mr James Seaton being amongst them.
The deaths that occurred were:-
Margaret Yeoman, aged 3 months on 29th June
John Connell, aged 6 months on the 2nd July
Francis A. McRae aged 11 weeks on the 7th July
George Ruthven aged 15 months on the 11th July
Janet Allan aged 13 months on the 16th July
James Walker aged 15 months on  22nd July
Andrew Sinclair 11½ months on the 21st August. 
The whole of the deaths were caused by diarrhoea and dysentery.
The births were Mrs Sutton of a female child on August 16
Mrs Gurnan of a male child on August 18
Mrs Marsden of a female child on August 24.
Dr Whitlock was the surgeon, and the single females were attended by Mrs Mary Macdougall.

Otago Witness Sep 6. 1873 page 12
Auckland, August 28
Henry Brown, a seaman, belonging to the Southern Belle, was found dead, floating in the harbour. He was last seen in company with Alice Allen, known as the Mermaid formerly of Christchurch. He had returned to his vessel that night drunk.

Star Christchurch Monday 4 January 1875
Inquest - John MORRISON - seaman on board brig. Ware death from suffocation.

Star Christchurch 19 March 1875
Inquest - Murdoch MCLEOD, sailor found dead on flats of Governors Bay.

The Times, Wednesday, Apr 21, 1875
The Berar, Captain Hugh, arrived at Auckland from London, with Government immigrants after a passage of 89 days from land to land. Scarlet fever broke out on the very next day after leaving port. There were 360 immigrants. Twenty died on the passage; when the ship arrived, there were 20 cases still under treatment, several cases looking very suspicious. The ship Michael Angelo arrived at Nelson on the 22d January, in 83 days from the Downs, with 292 immigrants. Captain Luckie was found dead in his cabin from heart disease.

Star Christchurch Tuesday 22 July 1875
Timaru - fatal accidents. Mr David Bell, seaman of Barque Czarewitch, drowned.

Star Christchurch Monday 2 August 1875
The Cook on the ship Countess of Kintore found dead in bunk.

Star Christchurch Tuesday 19 October 1875
Found drowned Mr. David EVANS, sailmaker on board Waikato

Timaru Herald Wednesday 24 November 1875 page 3
Auckland, Tuesday Evening
Arrived - Ship, Star of Germany, from London, after a fair passage of 93 days. An apprentice, John CAREY, was washed overboard during the passage and drowned.

Star Christchurch Friday 26 November 1875
Drowned - Alexander DITARN- cook on board Waikato

Timaru Herald Wednesday December 15 1875
Wellington, Friday evening.
Arrived - Ship Commisariat, from London, 98 days out. She had a rough passage. She brings 20 passengers. One fell overboard, Richard COWAN, and in getting the lifeboat ready William MORGAN was also lost overboard. All attempts to save them failed.

Timaru Herald June 6th 1876 pg3
Suicide at Sea. Death of Mr W.H. Bass, who was discharged from the Fairlie at Lyttelton, of which vessel he was chief officer. He jumped overboard from the steamer Taranaki. Mr Bass, told a passenger, Mr Frederick Overton, he had a wife and family at Onehunga, and that he owned some land at Waipara.

Timaru Herald Monday 24th January 1877 page 3
Auckland, Friday. Arrived - Carnatic, from London, after a voyage of 118 days. She had a fine weather passage. Forrest and Chalman, able seamen, were killed by falling from the foetopsail yard while lowering the topsail.

The Star February Monday 19 1877 page 2
The ship Wiltshire, 1461 tons, from London arrived at Lyttelton on Saturday afternoon, under the command of Captain E.P. Ellis. 282 souls. Great majority from Ireland. One of the seaman named Louis Hayatt, fell from the maintopsailyard on the night of Jan. 19, and drowned.

The Times Saturday, April 28, 1877
On the 24th Nov. 1876, on his passage to New Zealand, George Hives, late 92d Gordon Highlanders, youngest son of Cearles Hives, Esq., 7 Hyde-park gardens, London, in his 30th year.

Taranaki Herald September 21 1877
Heavy Sea - Two Men Killed
Nelson, Sept. 20
The schooner Zior, which left Timaru for Hokitika on the 1st August, put in here last night. She had been for a long time in company with a fleet of other small vessels, waiting to enter Hokitika. Last Sunday the whole fleet had to run for it. On that evening a tremendous sea broke on board, bursting in the cabin-house, one of the timbers striking Charles Aitken in the face with such force as to kill him instantaneously; and washing Morton Matheson, who was steering, overboard. The vessel is considerably damaged, and will have to be repaired here.

Evening Post, 20 September 1877, Page 2
Nelson. 20th September. The schooner Zior was driven in here by stress of weather yesterday. She arrived at Hokitika on the 21st August, from Timaru, laden with produce. On the 14th inst. she had to slip her anchors and put to sea. On Sunday evening last a sea struck the vessel, bursting the deck-house into fragments. A splinter struck one the seamen named Charles Aiken, crushing his skull, and causing instantaneous death. The sea also swept the deck, carrying away the the wheel and the steersman, whose name was Morton Mathieson. Captain Bell and the rest of the crew were compelled to take to the rigging. The Zior reports 14 vessels lying off Hokitika, some having been there for the last month, with no chance of getting in. The weather has been something terrific.

Otago Witness 30 November 1878, Page 5
November 25th. Thomas Hancock, keeper of the Quarantine station at Quail Island, while returning from the Port to the Island yesterday afternoon, was drowned through the upsetting of his boat.

Otago Witness January 11 1879
Lyttelton, January 2nd
American brigantine Star, from Newcastle. On the voyage a seaman named Walker was knocked overboard by the main bossm and was drowned. the weather was too stormy to allow a boat being lowered.

Otago Witness January 15 1879 pg 13
Christchurch, January 21st
The barque Times, a handy vessel of 682 tons register, arrived from London this morning, after a passage of 108 days. She is commanded by Captain Noria, and is consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Times brings a full general cargo but no passengers. During the passage and while in the S.E. trades, Edward Patterson Shaw, one of the apprentices, was lost overboard. He was in the head, and it is supposed the vessel mad a dive and washed him off. He was unable to reach a life-bouy thrown within a few feet of him. A boat was soon lowered and kept pulling for an hour and a -half over the spot where he fell.

Otago Witness March 15th 1879 pg 23 condensed.
The Dove Expedition
From Melbourne to New Guinea - crew rescued in Pitt's passage by a ship from London bound to Yokohama (arrived 16th Dec.). Mr Alexander Mcleod joined the party as a passenger. Crew came sick with fever. First to died George Willcox, who departed this life on 23rd September, and followed by Arthur Stevens on the 26th. Captain Rennie. John Kellett died. At Threshold Bay the Malays attacked. Leak occurred in Manipi or Boura Strait. Long boat got ready and intercepted the ship Sir Lancelot. Charles Greenwood succumbed on 25th November.

Otago Witness March 22 1879 pg12
A sailor named Isaac Woods, belonging to the steamer Waipara, was washed overboard whilst entering the river at Hokitika. He was shutting down the hatches over the engine room, when a sea struck the vessel, washing him over the side. He leaves a wife and two children.

The Star 26 April 1879 Lyttelton
Arrived  April 25 - Coromandel, barque, 849 tons, Hendry, from Glasgow (Jan. 9). under charter to Mr C.W. Turner. Passage 104 days. During the height of one gale on March 21, a heavy sea flooded the decks and swept Alfred Charles Davis, an apprentice and Frederick McDonald, an A.B., overboard. The weather was so wild, and such a heavy sea running, that it was impossible to round the ship to, or lower a boat to rescue them.

The Southland Times April 14 1879
A Danish sailor named Japper Johansen was drowned last Thursday night at Port Chalmers. The deceased, in company with two of his shipmates, went alongside the barque Frederick and Caroline at 10 p.m., for the purpose of visiting their country-men, and they went on board; leaving Johansen to fellow. They had, however barely gained the deck, when they heard cries for help.

Otago Witness June 7th 1879 Shipping
Wellington, June 4
The Loch Kee, barque, Captain Cummins arrived from London this morning after a uneventful passage of 95 days. She left London on March 1, rounded the Cape on the 22nd April, and made the Snares on may 28. She brings no passengers, but a full general cargo. During the passage an able seaman named Charles Jordon fell from the topsail yard on to the deck, and was killed instantaneously.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 29 July 1879 page 2, column c
(from the Press, Monday)
The Dochra, a barque commanded by Captain Spalding, and consigned to Mr C.W. Turner, arrived in Lyttelton on Saturday, from Glasgow. During the voyage, which occupied 101 days, an ordinary seaman, a boy named W. CONNOR, fell overboard and was lost. It was on the night of June 25th,, the position of the vessel being 44.30 S and 53 E. Upon the alarm being given, Captain Spalding at once came on deck, and two life bouys were thrown to the lad. The vessel stopped., Captain Spalding in the meantime having called to the boy asking if he had got the life buoy. The reply came "No." A boat was lowered and manned, and searched until nearly out of sight of the ship, but failed to come upon the boy or the life bouys. The Dochra was built and is owned by Messrs Scott and Co., Greenock, the builders of the Government steamer Hinemoa. She is of the highest class of iron ships, and is but three years old. Her registered tonnage is 966. Her voyages have been to the East Indies prior to this one and is commanded by Captain Spalding, he having superintended the building of the vessel.

The Star Wednesday 18 June 1879
Shipping - Dunedin - 3 deaths - "Otago"
Arrived Otago - ship - from Glasgow - after a passage of 102 days. ---- Three deaths occurred on the passage, R. McKAY, died on the Sunday after the ship left Port, of acute inflammation of the brain.
A seaman named Donald KENNEDY fell from the fore-royal-masthead into the sea, and the efforts to save him were without avail. The other death was that of Joseph WELSH, steerage passenger of hemorrhage of the lungs.

Timaru Herald Dec. 8 1879
Port of Lyttelton - Arrived
Dec. 6 - Hurunui, ship, from London
The Hurunui, ship from London, arrived on Saturday with passengers. The Huruni left the docks on August 14th and left Gravesend on August 15th; experienced strong westerly winds in the Channel, taking her departure from the Scilly islands on August 30th; crossed the Equator on September 26th; passed the Cape on October 22nd, and was off Tasmania on November 16th. On November 22nd, was 70 miles from the Snares, and on Nov. 30th, was only between the Snares and the Traps, owning to the strong winds and calms prevailing the whole time. Made the Peninsula on Friday, and arrived as above. The following deaths took place:-
Henry Watts, 20 months and Gertrude M. Male, 5 months from wasting disease.
William J. Davies, 2 years, and Thomas Davies, 8 months from diarrhea
Emma Davidson from puerperal fever.
One birth occurred, a daughter being born to Mrs Mellor.

Star Christchurch Friday 2 January 1880 page 2
Death. BARNETT- Dec. 31, on the s.s. Albion, for Wellington, Helen Maud, the infant daughter of Frank Walter and Jane Barnett.

The Times, Monday, Jul 05, 1880 Death
On the 18th April, lost at sea, in lat. 51.08S long. 13. 20 W., Edwin Charles William Alston, of the ship Canterbury, while on the voyage from Otago to London, eldest son of the late E. Alston, of the Union Bank of London, and early loved nephew of Mrs Emily Beke, of Ferndale View, Turnbridge-wells, aged 20. Friends will please accept this intimation.

Otago Witness, 31 December 1881, Page 17
On a the 24th December, suddenly, from apoplexy, at Dunedin, N.Z., Captain Dearmid M'Dearraid, of the barquentine Fairlie ; aged 40 years.

Otago Witness, 3 June 1882, Page 9
The barque Campsie Glen, from Timaru, arrived at Newcastle on May 19th in charge of the chief officer, who reported the suicide of Captain Duncan Smith 12 days after leaving Timaru. He was found dead in his cabin with his throat cut. The wound was inflicted with a broken bottle. The body was kept on board 12 days in canvas saturated with gin, but ultimately had to be buried at sea. A late telegram says :-— " John Green, a seaman belonging to the barque Campsie Glen, the captain of which committed suicide at sea on the voyage from Timaru, was sent to gaol for four months at Newcastle this morning for purloining from the cabin of the deceased numerous articles of clothing and jewellery while the dead body of the late captain lay overhead on deck. The Bench characterised the theft as one of the meanest on record.

Otago Witness 12 May 1883 pg 11
Christchurch, May 8th. A lad named Wedbar, an apprentice on the barque Cairnburg, fell from the main yard today, and was killed.

Timaru Herald 17 August 1883
Dunedin, Aug. 16
The ship Waimate on her voyage out lost a seaman overboard named Charles Brown. He fell off the taffrail while in a fit.

Otago Witness Nov. 17 1883 pg 14
A fatal boat accident at Napier. Captain Setton, of the ship Pleiades, now lying in the bay with a crew of four men came ashore for the first mate. There was a nasty rippling sea on the bar, but they arrived safely, and started to return with a total of six. The names of the men comprising the crew of the boat, a light gig, were
Captain Setten
C.A. Stevens (the chief officer)
L.O. Veil (the third mate)
T. Kerr (seaman)
J.L. Grey (seaman)
A.C. Kirby (apprentice)
All belonging to the Pleiades.
The boat preceded safely after starting until the worst part of the rip on the bar was passed. When abreast of the end of the Rangitatara bank a heavy break caught her nearly broadside on, and turned her completely over. A few persons were standing about the breastwork when the accident happened, watching to see how the boat behaved when passing through the jobbling sea on the bar. Among the spectators were Captain H. Kraeft, the harbourmaster and Captain Tonkin, of the barque Langstone. On observing what had happen Captain Kraeft making for the pilot boat, which was lying moored at both ends in the Iron Pot and Captain Tonkin running to a boat belonging to the s.s. Weka. Willing volunteers to man the boats followed, and within an almost incredibly short space of time both boats were manned and speeding rapidly down the port entrance. There remained visible only Captain Setten, who was clinging to the overturned boat, the apprentice Kirby, who had managed to secure the boat's mast, the seaman Gray and the first mate. These latter were at the opposite ends of an oar. The mate clutching the handle, and Grey, with the blade clenched in his teeth, swimming strongly When the rescuing boat was within a few yards of Grey a wave swept the first man from his grip of the oar, and he was never seen afterwards. Ten pilot boat rescuing the other three. Captain Setten had just dropped into unconsciousness as he was pulled into the boat but the others did not seem so affected by their struggle in the breakers as might have been expected. The three men were quickly conveyed to the Crown Hotel and put to bed. Dr Matthews, on arrival, administered restoratives to Captain Setten and the two seamen. Captain Setten needed the most attention, as he became hysterical as consciousness returned and the dreadful scene from which he had just been rescued came back to his memory.

The Times, Wednesday, Jan 16, 1884 pg 7
Mr John Henry Dallmeyer, optician, left Germany in 1849, to come to England and entered the house of Andrew Ross, the founder of the well known optician's business. Dallmeyer English lenses rank second to none. He was especially commissioned to provide several of the telescopes and photographic appliances used by different Government expeditions. For some time his health had been precarious, and while taking complete repose from work, on the voyage to New Zealand, he died on the 30th ult.

Evening Post, 11 March 1884, Page 2
Sydney, 10th March. Arrived — Union steamship Wairarapa, this afternoon, from Auckland. One of the Auckland passengers named Thompson died on Saturday, and was buried at sea.

Evening Post, 9 April 1884, Page 2
Auckland, 8th April. The Ringarooma, which arrived from Sydney to-night, reports the death of a saloon passenger named John Henty, at 5 o'clock this evening, off the island of Kawau. The supposed cause of death was delirium tremens. Deceased had only three drinks on board. He is the son of one of the Messrs. Henty Brothers, of Melbourne, and was the manager of the Bank of New Zealand agency, Sydney, to which place he had a return ticket. On the second day out he began to talk incoherently and wildly, and was put into a separate cabin and attended to by the steward. He talked about ringing up by telephone for his wife and children. This afternoon at 5 o'clock the captain went into deceased's cabin to see him, and told him he would soon be on shore. Mr. Henty got up and dressed, and put on his hat in order to go ashore, when he dropped down dead. He appears to have been about 35 years of age.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 May 1884, Page 2
Auckland, May 13. Captain Helgison, of the brigantine Camilla, from Dunedin, which arrived yesterday, reports the drowning of Wm. Bolger, an Irishman, who was acting as boatswain. Deceased had been suffering from the horrors, and during the temporary absence of his attendant, leaped overboard. A boat was immediately lowered and pulled in the direction where Bolger was seen struggling, but he sank before he could be reached, and was seen no more.

The Star, CHCH Wednesday 20 August 1884
Shipping - Tongariro - Arrived today after a passage of 44 days including stoppages at at Teneriffe, Cape of Good Hope, and Hobart. She brings 190 passengers of all classes. One death occurred that of Mrs McILWRAITH, aged 76 of bronchitis.

The Times, Saturday, Mar 28, 1885; pg. 1
At sea, on boars the ship Waimate, on voyage to New Zealand, Andrew Mitchell Mackenzie, second son of the late Donald Mackenzie, one of the Judges of the supreme Court of Scotland. (By cable)

Otago Witness, 14 November 1885, Page 12
Death and Casualty at Sea. Auckland, November 7.
The Euterpe, Captain Hoyle, from London, reports the death of a passenger of consumption off Three Kings. The Ada Melmore, Captain Mellican, from London, reports that in latitude 39.41, longitude 57 E., a cyclone was encountered, and she lost two seamen while furling the maintopsail. They fell from the yard. Andrew Baze, a Dutchman, fell overboard and was drowned. Joseph Errickson fell on the deck and broke his neck. The alarm was at once raised, but nothing could be done towards saving the man who had fallen overboard, for the sea was such as to threaten to engulf the ship herself.

Star Christchurch Monday 18 January 1886
BING - lost overboard about 15 Oct. 1885 during passage of Norman McLeod from London to Adelaide, Robert Sydney Bing, 2nd son of late Morice Bing & Annie Bing of Riccarton age 19 years.

The Star Tuesday April 13 1886
Auckland, April 13. A lad named Munn, on the barque Caberfeidh, now loading at Helensville, was killed yesterday by falling between the vessel and the wharf, a barrel of water rolling on top of him. He was a son of Captain Munn, who was drowned in the Agnes Bell two years ago.

North Otago Times,  3 May 1886, Page 2
Christchurch:, May 2. The ss. Coptic, which left Lyttelton for London yesterday evening, had proceeded a few miles on her way when a stowaway was discovered in a dying condition between the boilers. He was promptly released and attended to by the ship's surgeon, but expired in a few minutes. The captain at first thought of burying the body at sea, and it was sewn in canvas for that purpose, but be afterwards  he changed his mind, end returned to the mouth of the harbour, where the corpse was put on board the steam tug and taken to Lyttelton, while the Coptic proceeded on her voyage. The deceased, who is supposed to be a Swiss named Jacques Fleury, arrived at a stowaway some months ago in the Rimutaka from the Cape of Good Hope, where, it is said, he has a wife end four children.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 4th May 1886
The fate of a stowaway. Christchurch May 3. 
The inquest on Jacques Fleary, who perished so miserably on board the Coptic, was held this afternoon. Papers found on deceased showed he was a native of Berne, Switzerland, and he expressed the intention of stowing away in the hopes that after he got as far as Rio he might be able to get a passage Home. He had evidently fallen between the boilers while poking about for some place of concealment, and was probably stunned at once as his head and arm were jammed between the cylinders. A verdict of "accidentally burned to death" was returned.

Timaru Herald Friday 7 January 1887
Port Chalmers
Arrived
Jan. 6 - Pleiades, ship, Captain Selter, 95 days from Glasgow. She brings 37 passengers and 1600 tons of cargo. On December 8th a steerage passenger named James Allen died from Consumption. He leaves a widow and seven children on board.

Timaru Herald Saturday 5th February 1887 pg2
Wellington, Feb. 4
Arrived - Invercargill, ship, Captain Muir, 97 days from London. On January 23rd, K. McAuley, mate, died of consumption. She brings two 6-inch Elswick guns.

Timaru Herald Thursday 10 February 1887
Auckland, Feb. 9
William Phillips, barquentine, Captain Potter, from New York via Dunedin. During the passage from the latter port a seaman named Frederick Barley was drowned. He was on the jibboom stowing the jib, when three days out, and fell into the sea. A high sea was running and the wind prevented the launching of a boat, and nothing was seen of the man after he fell.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 15 February 1887
Gisborne, Feb. 14
Arrived - Aikshaw?, barque, from London, 114 days out. Captain G. Tait, of the barque Aikshaw, died on January 1st, and was buried at sea. He was a married man.

Evening Post, 14 February 1887, Page 2
Death of a Sea Captain. [By Telegraph. ]
Gisborne, This Day. The barque Arkshaw arrived from London on Saturday night, 114 days out, with harbour plant and cement. Captain G. Tait died on the voyage on 1st January, and was buried at sea. He was a married man.

Star - Christchurch Tuesday 5 April 1887
The Arawa brings 164 passengers 50 of whom were landed at Hobart. During the voyage Ebenezer Irvine, a 3rd class passenger, died of consumption. ---- The Arawa will leave for New Zealand tomorrow.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 13 April 1887
Port Lyttelton. Arrived.
April 12 - Northumberland, ship, from London, today. She reports that on January 25th, Ewen McLaren, a seaman, while securing one of the anchors whilst a heavy gale was blowing and a high sea running was washed overboard.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 4 May 1887
News has been received of the death of Captain Holbeche, of the New Zealand Shipping Company's ship Wairoa, who died at sea on February 19th. Captain Holbeche was only married a short time before leaving Lyttelton for London.

Timaru Herald  Thursday 14 July 1887
The death of Mr Joseph Anderson, chief officer of the barque Clifton, which occurred from consumption on the voyage from Port Chalmers to Sydney. Mr Anderson traded out of the port named, both as master and chief officer, in the intercolonial trade.

Timaru Herald Thursday 28 July 1887
On the June 26th, during the passage of the barque St. Lawrence from Puget Sound to Sydney, a seaman named Alfred Keeling fell from aloft to the deck. Death was instantaneous.

Timaru Herald Thursday 28 July 1887
Port Lyttelton
Arrived. July 27 - Barque Loch Urr, Captain Murdoch, arrived from London today. She occupied 102 days on the passage, and experienced fine weather throughout. On June 25th, when off the Island of St. Paul, one of the seaman, named James Marcourt, fell from aloft, and sustained injuries to his face and head. He was attended to, but died on June 29th. The Loch Urr brings 1100 tons of merchandise. She comes consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Company.

Timaru Herald  Monday 1 August 1887
Gisborne, July 30
A cablegram received here announces the death of Bishop, who was shot by a woman on July 1st, on board the R.M.S. Alameda at San Francisco. Bishop was for many years a chemist here and lately sold his business. He has a wife and family in Auckland.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 6 September 1887
The ship Estrella arrived at Lyttelton from Calcutta yesterday after a passage of 48 days on the best record to that port. During the voyage an apprentice named Herbert Thomas, native of Liverpool, was washed overboard and drowned. He was seen floating astern for a time but owning to the heavy sea it was impossible to save him.

Timaru Herald Friday 23 September 1887
Arrival of the Westland - A sailor drowned.
Port Chalmers - Sept. 22
Arrived Westland, ship, Captain Scotland, 83 days, from London, with 2000 tons of cargo. At 8.5 a.m. at August 5th, in latitude 45, S., Frank Bennett, A.B., while unshipping the jib guy out of the whisker, missed his hold and fell overboard. The helm was at once put down and two life bouys thrown overboard and two men sent aft to watch the man overboard. A boat was immediately lowered but no trace of the man could be seen. Captain Scotland is of opinion that the poor fellow struck himself in falling. All hands were on deck at the time and the weather was fine, only a few minutes elapsed from the time he fell until the boat was lowered.

Timaru Herald Friday 30 September 1887
By the last English mail Mr G. Lyon, of Palmerston North, received the sad intelligence of the death of his son Alfred, who was killed at sea. Mr James Boyd, owner of the ship East Lothian on which the deceased was an apprentice, wrote "He fell from the upper foretopsail yard on May 15th, at 7.15 pm, and was killed. Captain Ross reports that he was on the yard assisting to reef the upper foretopsail, and though some cause must have lost his hold and fell on the fore-winch end, and then on to the deck. He was immediately removed aft to the cabin, but it was at once seen that nothing could be done for him. He never spoke, and died in fifteen minutes. This occurred in 44deg. 54 min 8, 149deg 15 min E, and he was buried at sea the following day. I regret this most promising lad, and was well reported by his captain." Also a letter from Captain Ross. Manawatu Daily Times.

Timaru Herald Monday 21 November 1887 pg2
Arrival of the Tainui - Loss of a Passenger
Port Chalmers, Nov. 20
Arrived, at 6 a.m. - S.S. Tainui, Captain Barlow, R.N.R., from Plymouth (Oct. 8th), via Teneriffe, Table Bay and Hobart. She brings 127 passengers, and 1000 tons cargo of which 400 are for Dunedin, and 18 bags 2 packages mails. At midnight on Nov. 10th, Mr William Pike, a second cabin passenger, occupying room No. 58 on the poop deck, was reported missing. A diligent search was made, but he could not be found, and it is supposed he must have gone overboard. Deceased was a single male and was booked for Wellington.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 7 December 1887
London Daily Chronicle , Oct. 13
Lady Brassey of Park-Lane and Normanhunt Castle, died on board the Sunbeam, a month ago and was buried at sea. Fever contracted on the coast of Australia is stated to have been the cause of death. The disease quickly did its fatal work, for if we judge by the time usually occupied in transversing the ocean between Australia and the Cape. Sailed from Port Darwin in Lord Brassey's yacht.

Timaru Herald Monday 19 December 1887
Auckland, Dec. 17
Arrived - Lurline, barque, 154 days, from London. Called at Pernambuco, Rio Janeiro, and Port Elizabeth, on account of ill-health of Captain Gibbons. She finally left him at the last named port, and Mr Laws, the first officer, assumed command. In lat, 32.21 S., long 55. W. Charles Robinson, a seaman, a native of Glasgow, fell from the lower main topsail yard to the deck, smashing his skull and being killed on the spot.

Timaru Herald Friday 8 February 1889
Hobart, Feb. 7
Mr Foster Bateman, a passenger by the Doric, died on the morning of the steamer's arrival.

Timaru Herald Monday 11 February 1889
Wellington, Feb. 10
The Doric arrived from London via Hobart and the Cape this afternoon, after a fine weather passage. She left London on Dec. 27th. She brings 17 saloon, 24 second saloon, and 43 steerage passengers for New Zealand. One death occurred during the voyage, that of a first class passenger, Mr F. Foster Bateman, who died on Feb. 5th, as the Doric was entering Hobart. The body was taken ashore. the cause of death was cardiac disease.

Timaru Herald 30 Friday August 1889
Port Chalmers August 29
The Coptic was admitted to pratique this morning and the patient (a child in the steerage) suffering from scarlatina was removed to Quarantine Island. During the passage one birth and two deaths occurred. On August 10th Mrs Mary Kennedy, a steerage passenger was prematurely confined of a female child which only survived three days. On August 24th whilst at anchor at Hobart, the mother expired from syncope. The body was sent on shore in charge of deceased's husband, whose destination was Brisbane. the Coptic brings 214 tons of cargo, and 75 passengers for all ports.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 24 September 1889
Port Chalmers - Sept. 23
The s.s. Ionic, Captain Kidley, from Plymouth via Capetown and Hobart arrived at the Heads yesterday. She brings 90 passengers and 3000 tons cargo (400 tons for Dunedin), 5 bags of mail matter, 20 boxes of parcels post. On Sept. 17th William Warling, a third class passenger for Auckland died of phthisis. Dates: Plymouth Aug. 10th, Teneriffe 15th, Capetown 31st, Hobart 19th Sept.

Timaru Herald Monday 14 October 1889 pg2
The ship Marlborough arrived from London to-day. She lost a sailor, Oliver Jones, on September 14 ?11th. He fell from the foreroyal yard when taking in sail. Nothing could be done to rescue him.

Evening Post, 4 October 1889, Page 3
Auckland. This day. Arrived — Schooner Vindex, from the Huon Group and Long Island, with guano. The master, Captain Walsh, of Auckland, died very suddenly of heart disease on the 18th August, at Delazour Inland, Huon Group, and was buried on shore next day. Captain Walsh was 33 years of age, and leaves a wife and child here.

Timaru Herald 19 November 1889
Nelson, Nov. 18
Arrived - Barque Asterion, Captain Alsopp, 106 days from London. She experienced bad weather, and was hove to for 16 hours. A seaman named West died of inflammation of the lungs on the voyage.

Timaru Herald Thursday 21 November 1889
Auckland, Nov. 20
Arrived - Invercargill, ship, from London, 101 days out, with a cargo valued at £22,200. She had a stormy passage, and reports losing the second mate, an Englishman, named T. H. Brown, 21 years of age, who was washed overboard from eh forecastle and drowned, in a gale on the morning of Nov. 10th.

The Star  Christchurch, Tuesday 17 December 1889
Death on The "Arawa" - This vessel arrived at Wellington yesterday forenoon, a death occurred on the voyage, that of Mr Huxterly, a third cabin passenger, from heart disease.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 24 December 1889 pg2
Auckland Dec. 23
A man named Robert Smith, a passenger on the Rotomahana, was found dead on board that vessel today. The cause is thought to have been heart disease.

The Star  Christchurch, Tuesday 24 December 1889 page 3
Died at sea - Capt. DRYSDALE
The ship City of Delhi which arrived at Lyttelton this morning from Calcutta lost her Capt. on the voyage. The deceased Capt. Drysdale was well known at Lyttelton and visited the port some years ago in the same vessel. He took ill on 1st December and gradually worsened until 14th December when he died. The complaint was stated to be general debility. The Chief Officer Capt. Swan bought the vessel into port.

Timaru Herald Friday 27 December 1889 page 3 col c
Mr Plimsoll, speaking at a meeting at Swansea, chose for his subject the food supply of seaman in the past and in the present. Food not fit to be eaten. Condemned stores of meat, some of which had been at Gibraltar and Malta for seven years was sold by the Admiralty. The meat stank frightfully; but it was taken out of the barrels, carefully washed, scraped and pared when scrapping was not enough, and then put into new barrels with new brine, and branded "Best Navy Stores," and sold by scoundrels as food for Sailors ("Shame!") That was murder. One ship left England for San Francisco with twenty-five men on board. One after the other died from this carrion, till only thirteen were left and only one being able to crawl. Their limbs were swollen to the size of a child's boy, their gums were black, and their teeth falling out...

Wanganui Herald, 5 August 1890, Page 2
The first officer of the missing Shaw- Saville ship Marlborough, supposed to be lost at sea with all hands when she left Lyttelton for London over six months ago, was Mr Alexander Samuel, who was very well known in Auckland shipping circles. Some years ago Mr Samuel was mate on board several of the Northern Company's steamers, including the Glenelg, and made many friends. A couple of years ago he Trent Home as second mate of the ship Margaret Gathbraith, and then joined the Marlborough at London.

Timaru Herald Thursday 2nd July 1891
The Arawa arrived at 1.30 p.m. at Wellington on July 1. She left London on May 14th with 143 passengers; Plymouth 16th, Teneriffe 21st, Capetown 6th, and Hobart at 11 a.m. on the 26th June. The voyage was uneventful. On May 28th Mr R.A. Melhuish, a second saloon passenger, died of consumption.

Timaru Herald Saturday 18th July 1891
Auckland, July 17. Arrived -Alameda, from Sydney, after a fast trip of 3 days and 17 hours. On Tuesday Lieutenant Philip J. Hodges, R.N., a steerage passenger for San Francisco, committed suicide by jumping overboard. The ship was at the time going 14 knots, with all sail set in a strong breeze from the S.W., with a high sea. A boat was lowered but without success. After staying 20 minutes the steamer kept on her coarse. Hodges formerly belonging to the H.M.S. Hyacinth. He was recently court- martialled and cashiered, and was very melancholy prior to his suicide. The Alameda left Auckland on the evening of July 18 for San Francisco with 78 saloon and 76 steerage passengers.

Timaru Herald Saturday 10 October 1891
Auckland, Oct. 9
Arrived - Waitangi, ship, Captain Sinclair, from London, 91 days out. In the Southern Ocean on September 17th James Cox, boatswain, aged 37, was lost overboard and was drowned through falling from the main rail. A boat's crew searched for him unsuccessfully.

Evening Post, 15 March 1892, Page 3
On the arrival of the s.s. Takapuna, from Onehunga, via New Plymouth, at 1 o'clock to-day, information was given to the police that a sudden death had occurred on the voyage, a saloon passenger, supposed to be a Mr. Todd, having been found dead in his bunk this morning. The ticket held by the deceased was simply made out in the name of " Mr. Todd," without any initials, but the travelling bag he had with him in addressed " J. C. Todd, c/o A. & T. Inglis, Dunedin." Deceased was accompanied on board the steamer at Onohunga by a friend, and appeared to be in very indifferent health. Dr. Henry, who saw the body on the arrival of the steamer, is of opinion that the deceased had been ill for some time previously. He is a man apparently about 35 or 40 years of age, and of fair complexion. The body has been removed to the Morgue. Constable Matheron has identified the body as that of Mr. J. C. Todd, whom he formerly knew in Auckland. Deceased had been under medical treatment for some time past, and a brother of his is in the employ of Messrs. Inglis. An inquest will be held this afternoon or tonight.

Evening Post, 1 December 1892, Page 3
Lyttelton. This day. A man named Ryan, a steerage passenger from Melbourne by the Te Anau, died at 10.40 last night, on the passage between Dunedin and Lyttelton. He booked at Melbourne, and when he came on board was very ill with consumption. He had friends at Halcombe, and was going to them.

The Times, Tuesday, Nov 14, 1893
Haylock - On 11th Sept., on board the Rangitiki on his passage from Auckland, NZ, Alfred George Haylock, fourth son of the late John Haylock, of Balsham Place, Cambs., aged 51. New Zealand papers, please copy.

Death. WARREN- On the 8th June 1895, on board the HMS Gothic, off the Bay of Biscay, William Henry WARREN, late of Wellington, New Zealand. Deeply regretted. Body buried at sea on 9th June. 

Evening Post, 9 July 1895, Page 2
Received July 9. Melbourne. The details of the accident on board the barque S. D Carlton on her to voyage New York show that Hatch, the chief officer, was literally choked to death in the presence of the crew, he being pinned between the deckhouse and the wheelhouse. Webster who was lost overboard, is reported to have a wife and family in Wellington.

Evening Post, 19 July 1895, Page 2
By the English mail which arrived in Wellington today, news was received of the unexpected death at sea, between Teneriffe and London, of Mr. W. H. Warren, well known in Wellington. Mr Warren took a passage Home in the Gothic for the benefit of his health, which had been impaired through the accidental capsizing three years ago of a coach in which he was travelling from Marton to Wanganui. Mr. Warren arrived in Wellington in 1867, by the ship Wild Duck. At one time ho was in the Treasury, but of late years has been in business on his own account, also acting as Secretary to the Wellington School Commissioners, and as shorthand instructor at the Wellington College and Girls High School. He was Vice-President o£ the Wellington Shorthand Association, and was prominently connected with several Masonic lodges.... The cause of death was a slight stroke of paralysis, combined with apoplexy. He was buried at sea, the Rev. L. M. Isitt, a fellow-passenger, conducting the burial service. Deceased, who was 59 years of ago, and who married the second daughter of the late Mr J. G. Holdsworth, Commissioner of Crown Lands, leaves a widow and nine children in Wellington.

Otago Witness, 21 November 1895, Page 19
Captain McKenzie, of the barque Kathleen Hilda, which arrived at Auckland on the 13th, reports that loss of the second mate on the voyage across from Newcastle. At 10 p.m. on November 2 a heavy sea swept the deck, and carried overboard Ellis Thomas Free, the second mate. A heavy southerly gale was blowing at the time, and a heavy sea running. The Kathleen Hilda was brought up into the wind and tacked about the spot for two hours, but no sign was seen of the unfortunate man. Free was well-known in Auckland. He had been on the barque for a number of years. He was a single man, a native of Adelaide, and had no relatives in the colony as far as is known.

Otago Witness 21st Nov. 1895 pg33
GASH - On the 3rd September (accidentally drowned), Walter Gash, beloved husband of Priscilla Gash. Deeply regretted.
In our heavenly Father's home,
In that mansion above,
Where all sorrows are unknown
And all is love,

Though the ocean is his grave
And I know not where he lies,
I am living in the hope
To meet him in the skies.

Otago Witness Thursday 13 Feb. 1896 page 20
The Death of Captain Hewison, Auckland 5
He was last seen standing just below the bridge and it is thought he started to go up the three steps which intervened between them and the platform on which the wheel stands. His usual custom was to grasp the rail alongside these steps and jump up, and as the bolt holding this rail was found broken it is thought the stain having broken it struck the captain on the forehead just between the eyes, where a bruise was afterwards found. This probably partly stunned him, causing him to fall backwards into the water. A splash was head. Mr Langley, a passenger, immediately stripped, jumped in, and diving for Captain Hewson supported him above the water till he was taken on board by means of a dingey. About three quarters of a n hour afterwards he died without having gained consciousness. Captain Hewison, of the s.s. Waitoa, was 50 years of age. He leaves a widow and eight children.

Otago Witness Thursday April 2 1896 page 13
A seaman on the steamer Poherua named Karl Kvander fell from the rigging off Moeraki on the 25th as the steamer was coming along the coast, and died in the Oamaru hospital on Thursday from injuries received.

During the recent passage from Melbourne of the Union Steam Ship Company's steamship Mararoa a steerage passenger named F.J. Rigg fell overboard and was drowned. Rigg compliant to another passenger, Buirde, that he felt sick. Rigg when on deck to get some fresh air an don gaining the promenade deck the vessel, which was then in a rip, gave a heavy lurch and threw Rigg against the ship's rail and he doubled over the rail and capsized into the sea. Witnessed by Hay. The alarm was sounded a lifebuoy was thrown. A high sea was running and it was dark, 9.28 p.m. The death was formally registered at Hobart on the 20th. Rigg had been living in Warragal and was a labourer journeying from Victoria to New Zealand to seek employment.

Otago Witness June 11th  1896 page 38
The Ionic arrived in Capetown, outward bound for New Zealand on March 13. When the Ionic was in the tropics on Saturday March 7 at 2. 30 p.m. one of the steerage passengers name Knight was seen to leave his cabin with a towel and to go to the bathroom. He had been in the bath sometime when he was heard to shout and he opened the bath door. A steerage passenger who was waiting his turn, rushed in, and found Knight standing in the bath. "Get the doctor, I have burnt myself all over." Knight was barely conscious. He expired in a few minutes. The poor fellow was a farrier by trade and recently resided at Blackheath, London. He was about 20 years of age and was going to the Cape to try and make his fortune. The bath was supplied with salt water and it is customary for a passenger to take a small tin of fresh water to wash the salt from the face and head after bathing. It so happened that on this day the stewards had been given crude carbonic acid, which they have to dilute themselves in tin bottles exactly similar to those the passengers use to get drinking and washing water in. The use of diluted acid is to disinfect the baths and lavatories, and two tins had been hidden by a steward in the small space at the inside head of the bath. The deceased did not take any water with him, and it is evident that seeing one of these tins he must, after bathing, have poured the crude acid over his head and body. The doctor stated that the acid could not be smelt until poured out of the bottle. The body was buried at sea.

Otago Witness, 7 January 1897, Page 24
During the voyage of the Soukar, Ernest Winter, aged 19, the assistant steward, was missed on November 8. It was supposed that he had fallen overboard, but aft a heavy sea was running and no boat could live, and the vessel was going over 10 knots, it was thought to be useless stop to look for him.
    A young man named William Basham, an apprentice of the ship Crusader, was drowned while coming into the Bluff harbour on the 1st in the fishing ketch Anna. A heavy squall was blowing at the time and the ebb tide was running. The body has not been recovered.

Star April 22 1897
Wellington. During the voyage of the barque Dundale from Liverpool, an able seaman named Leopold Hildert, aged twenty-one, fell from aloft and was killed.

Otago Witness Thursday 5 January 1899 page 31 col b
During the voyage of the barque Nor'wester from London to Dunedin, an able seaman named John Horne, a native of Timaru, fell off the foretopsail yard on to the deck, and was killed instantly. The weather was very boisterous when the accident occurred.

page 39
The Danish barque, Nor-Wester, Captain Neilson, arrived on Friday. She left London on September 1, and had light variable winds to 22 N. lat where the N.E. trade winds were picked up. She comes under charter to Messrs Reid and Gray. On Nov. 27. while aloft helping to furl the foretopsail, an ordinary seaman named Jack Horne, belonging to Timaru, fell to the deck, and was picked up dead. 

Otago Witness Thursday 5 January 1899 page 31 col c
The carpenter of the ship Timaru, William Moir, is supposed to have drowned. He left a cutter for his own ship at the Bluff wharf on the night of the 24th ult., and has not been seen since.

Timaru Herald Friday 1st September 1899
It is said that the late Mr John Reid, of Motutapu, died on the Waikare through being bitten by mosquitoes, which are supposed to have conveyed poison from the sores of a sick child in the house in which he slept in Samoa.

Timaru Herald  Saturday 11 November 1899 pg 2
Captain Bloom, master of the schooner Lily, which arrived from Greymouth yesterday afternoon, reported to the customs on arrival that he had lost one of his crew overboard on the passage due to a heavy sea. off Rocks Point. The sea broke over him. The deceased, Jens Hansen Holm, was a Dane, about 25 years of age, and unmarried. It is understood that he had no relatives in the colony, but he had friends at Linwood, Christchurch.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1899, Page 16
Captain Olesen, of the barque City of Agra, at Kaipara, which was ready to sail for London, went fishing by himself in a boat on Friday, and no trace has since been discovered of man or boat. It is supposed that he was drowned or carried out to sea. Olesen was about 40 years of age.

Otago Witness, 25 January 1900, Page 22
The Belfast barque Bessfield, Captain Doey, which left Timaru in August last, arrived at Queenstown on November 21. Captain Doey reported that on August 30 an ordinary seaman named George Grychite, about 17 years of age, jumped overboard and was drowned, efforts made to save him being futile. Before he committed the rash act he went to the cook's galley and asked the cook for some coffee. The cook replied that he had none ready then, whereupon the young fellow said, "As you have no coffee to give me, you will see me no more ; I am going right away," and with that he got on the rail and jumped overboard. He joined the vessel at Timaru, and his shipmates believed he was more or less demented then. Reference to the customs records here (says the Timaru Herald) shows that G. Grychite, or Gryshta, was shipped here on the Bessfield as an ordinary seaman on August 3, the barque leaving on the 10th.

Timaru Herald Invercargill, Sept. 14 1900 
Daniel Bowen, aged 50, a seaman on the Hermione, from London to Nelson, fell from aloft while making the foretopsail fast off the Bluff at 1 o'clock this morning, and was killed.

Otago Witness Wednesday 28 November 1900 page 54 c1
Nov. 21.Wellington. The Delphic arrived from London, via the Cape and Hobart, this morning. She brought a number of invalided troopers from Capetown. A passenger named J.K. Amos, booked for Auckland, died from consumption on the voyage.

Evening Post, 19 November 1901, Page 6
IN MEMORIAL. Marshall. — In loving memory of Louisa Kate, beloved wife of John Marshall, of Worser Bay, who died 19th November, 1900, on board the s.s. Papanui, on the voyage from England to New Zealand, aged 37 years.
We little thought when we bade her good-bye,
She had left us for ever, left us to die ;
Not even her dear lifeless form did I see,
But ever her memory will cling fondly to me.

Sleep on dearest wife, and take thy rest.
Thy earthly work is o'er ;
And thou has left a troubled world,
To reach that peaceful shore.
Inserted by her loving husband.

Evening Post, 4 March 1901, Page 5
A BODY ORDERED TO BE EXHUMED. OPENING OF THE INQUEST. SYDNEY, 3rd March.
Owing to certain suspicious circumstances coming to the knowledge of the City Coroner, the body of P. Conway a Dunedin passenger who died aboard the steamer Talune on 19th February, was exhumed from the Rookwood Cemetery yesterday. An inquest was opened and adjourned till Friday. It wil1 be remembered that when the remains were landed at Sydney the Coroner dispensed with an inquest, the cause of death being given as a fit, to which the deceased was alleged to be subject. The authorities are very reticent in regard to the matter, the Coroner having intimated that it is not in the interests of justice to publish the evidence at present. The police refuse to give any information, but enquiries in other directions indicate that the police are acting upon rumours which were current amongst other passengers to the effect that the circumstances surrounding Conway's death were not altogether consistent with natural causes. Statements have also been made that Conway was supposed to have certain valuables in his possession, but a search of his luggage failed to discover any.

Evening Post, 11 March 1901, Page 5
Sydney, 9th March. At the inquest on the death of the man Conway while travelling from New Zealand on board the Talune, Murphy, a steward, deposed that shortly after 8 o'clock on the night of 19th February he saw Conway sitting with a woman on a hatchway. The woman had what appeared to be a small bottle of English ale in her hand. After silting together some time the woman got up and went to the saloon. About twenty minutes after he saw Conway in a state of collapse. Thomas McBryde, a passenger by the steamer, gave evidence that he saw a woman near Conway shortly before he was taken ill, but could not identify her.

Otago Witness, 19 June 1901, Page 53
Gore. News was received to-day from Colombo of the death at sea of Mr R. Doull, J P., of Mandeville. Mr Doull left New Zealand three months ago for a trip to the old country, and the sad news has come to hand to the effect that he had been ailing for some time, but got worse before reaching Colombo, and died on the 6th May from peritonitis, and was buried at sea. Deceased was an old and esteemed resident of Mandeville, a settler of long standing in the district, and a justice of the peace. In the early days of the settlement he started the Mandeville Flour Mills, which he managed with success. He leaves a widow, and a family of two sons and one daughter.

Evening Post, 2 April 1909, Page 8
Invercargill, 1st April. Captain MacBride, of the Jessie Nicoll, which has just returned from the Macquaries, reports that Mr. Dutton, second officer, died during the passage. Deceased, who contracted malaria while in Manila, had been ordered to a colder climate, and joined the Jessie Nicoll eight weeks ago. He is a son of the Rev. Mr. Dutton, of Dunedin. The Customs will hold a departmental enquiry.

The Star Thursday 10th July 1902 pg3
Death: VERNON - June 27. Edward Saunderson (suddenly), on the voyage Home. (By cable.)

Evening Post, 30 October 1902, Page 5
Palmerston N., This Day. Advice has been received of the death at sea on the steamer Nineveh, outward bound from London to Sydney, of Mr. Alfred Turner, aged 25. He was a resident of Palmerston, and was a son of Mr. H. J. Turner, of Wanganui.

Wanganui Herald, 7 January 1904, Page 4
There were two deaths during the voyage 1 of the White Star liner Corinthic, which arrived at Wellington from London. On Saturday last Mrs lane, wife of John Lane, of Ashburton, died of acute anaemia, her case having- been almost hopeless before the steamer, left London. The other death was that of  Master Towsett, a son of Mr and Mrs E. Towsett, third class passengers. Both bodies were buried at sea.

Evening Post, 26 May 1904, Page 5
The sad news has just arrived in London by telegram from Monte Video of the sudden death at sea of a Now Zealand lady who was on her way to England. I refer to Mrs. Charles H. Hamilton, wife of Mr. C. H. Hamilton, of Otaki, New Zealand. Mrs. Hamilton, it will be remembered was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. C. O. Torlesse, of Canterbury, New Zealand, and of Mrs Torlesse who resides at Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight.

New Zealand Free Lance, 11 November 1905, Page 3
The news has been received of the death at sea of Captain F. W. Hutton, F.R.S., of Christchurch, who was on has way out to the colony on the Rimutaka. Death occurred just before the vessel reached Capetown. Captain Hutton, was president of the New Zealand Institute, and Curator of the Christchurch Museum. Be was born in Lincolnshire, in 1836, and was educated at Southwell and the Royal Naval Academy at Gosport. He had a varied and interesting career, for which he had to thank his failure in, getting an appointment in the Royal Navy.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 11 January 1906, Page 5
SYDNEY, January 10. Just before the Monowai reached the heads, a saloon passenger named Albert B. Morgan died after several fits. He joined the boat at Wellington, and was apparently then suffering from me effects of alcohol. He recovered, however, during the voyage, and was apparently well just before the fatal seizure. Deceased for a number of years was an estate agent in Christchurch.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 5 February 1906, Page 8
Adelaide, February 5.
Rev. Charles Butler, a passenger from New Zealand by the Medic, died on the voyage and was buried at sea.

Evening Post, Wellington 14 August 1906
MACKENZIE.— Drowned from the burning, ship Pitcairn Island at sea, May, 1306, Roderick Duncan, beloved and eldest, son of Roderick Mackenzie, Moir-street, aged 22 years. 'Nearer my God to Thee.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 10 October 1906, Page 5
Auckland, October 9.
A seaman named Lowther died on board the Suffolk from consumption during the voyage from Liverpool, and was buried at sea on September 21.

Otago Witness, 10 January 1906, Page 21
Taranaki. News is received by cable of the death at sea on the Kumara on December 18 of Mr A. L. Gordon, one of Dannevirke's foremost business men.

Otago Witness, 1 May 1907, Page 14
PASSENGERS BY THE CORINTHIC.
Wellington. April 24
Among the 135 passengers that came in the third class by the Corinthic were 168 from Great Britain. These settlers intend going to various parts of New Zealand —
35 to Auckland.
28 to Lyttelton,
20 to Port Chalmers
15 to Gisborne,
18 to Napier,
4 to New Plymouth,
2 to Timaru,
1 to Nelson,
1 to Greymouth
and 44- to Wellington. Assisted immigrants numbering 78 comprise farm-workers, miners, gardeners, carpenters, and so on. During the run of the steamer from London a child named Julia Joseph, four months old, daughter of a third-class passenger booked for Napier, died, and was buried at sea on the 19th April.
 

Hawera & Normanby Star, 31 July 1907, Page 5
Sydney, July 30. Charles Siddells, a Wanganui publican, who was a passenger by the Wimmera from New Zealand in company with several other Wanganui residents to see the. Towns-Webb sculling match, died just prior to the vessel's arrival. Deceased was unwell when he began the voyage. On Sunday evening he was caught trying to escape through a port-hole in the lavatory. The ship's officers burst in the door and seize him by the legs just as he was disappearing. They hung on while the vessel was stopped. A line was lowered and he was hauled aboard again. His condition was then serious, and he gradually sank. Mr Siddells was a prominent supporter of the sculler Webb. Deceased was a brother of Detective Siddells, of Wanganui. He leaves a wife and family.

Evening Post, 9 October 1907, Page 8
A sudden death happened on board the steamer Blenheim about 7.50 o'clock last night, the victim being John Croker, mate of the vessel. The Blenheim was on her way to Wellington at the time, and had just crossed the Wairau bar. Deceased was superintending the penning of some sheep. He was seen to sit down, and immediately afterwards it was found that he had expired. On arrival of the vessel at 12.30 this morning, Dr. Henry examined the body, and found that death was due to natural causes, presumably heart disease. Deceased was 62 years of age, and at time of death appeared to be in good health. He leaves widow and a daughter, who reside at No. 15, Wellington-terrace. Deceased at one time was master of the barque Weathersfield. He had been employed on the Blenheim running for some four or five years. Prior to joining the Blenheim he was mate of the ill-fated steamer Nambucca.

Evening Post, 23 December 1907, Page 8
An able-bodied seaman, named John Dawson, dropped dead owing to heart failure during the passage of the Talune from Sydney to Wellington. The fatality occurred on Friday morning, and the body was buried at sea on the evening of the same day. Deceased, who was thirty-five years of age, signed on the vessel at Dunedin ten days ago, and was a native of Sunderland.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 24 February 1908, Page 5
CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. R. W. Rayner, aged 82 years, who for over thirty years acted as postmaster and constable at Chatham Islands, died on the steamer Ripple on Thursday morning, when the vessel was about 100 miles from the islands. The deceased gentleman had been suffering for some time from cancer, and it is to this disease that his death is attributed.

Otago Witness May 13 1908   pg 28
Wellington, May 7. The steamer Morayshire, which arrived from the west coast of the United Kingdom ports to-day, brought 76 immigrants for the Dominion, the bookings being as follows:- Auckland 24, Wellington 23, Lyttelton 18, Port Chalmers 10. The day before the vessel reached Capetown Mrs Burness, who, with her husband, was proceeding out to Canterbury, died from natural causes.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 14 July 1909, Page 4
Wellington, July 14. Elizabeth Cammock, aged 17, who was coming with her parents from Scotland to Wellington by the steamer Athenic, died from pneumonia last- Sunday, and was buried at sea.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 16 September 1909, Page 5
Wellington, September 16. At an inquest on Archibald Todd, who died at sea on the Ulimaroa, and who was travelling for his health, a verdict was returned of death from heart trouble. Among deceased's effects were tickets for Papeete and San Francisco and a circular letter of credit for £1000.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 15 September 1909, Page 7
Wellington, September 15. A saloon passenger named Alexander Todd, about 50 years, of age, died on the Ulimaroa during last night on the voyage from Sydney. He was travelling alone, it is believed for the benefit of his health. Before retiring for the night he was in excellent spirits. Death is supposed to be due to heart disease. An inquest is being held to-day.

Evening Post, 3 February 1910, Page 8
Enquiry into a death at sea. This morning Captain G. G. Smith, Superintendent of Mercantile Marino at Wellington, held a formal enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of James Thomas Ireland, an able-seaman, on the barque John Lockett, who succumbed to a severe cold in the chest while the ship was in the Southern Ocean, en route from Liverpool to Wellington. The entry in the official log of the barque showed that Ireland had been ailing for some weeks. The depositions of Messrs. H. Partridge (steward), Edward Gordon (sailmaker), and William Patterson (A. 13.) were taken, and the evidence will be forwarded to the British Board of Trade. Ireland was an elderly man, 63 years of age, and came from Manchester.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 30 March 1910, Page 8
Melbourne, March 30. Mr Murley, a passenger on the Mongolia from Auckland, died aboard the vessel from syncope. A second-class passenger aboard the Otway, bound for New Zealand, is under observation by the health officers. Another third-class passenger in quarantine at Fremantle as developed smallpox in a modified form.

Evening Post, 9 May 1910, Page 6
Auckland, This Day. The Maheno arrived early this morning after a stormy passage from Sydney. A passenger, Mrs. Harris, died on the voyage, and was buried at sea.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 29 December 1910, Page 8
Wellington, Dec. 29. The Ionic arrived from London, via Hobart, today, with 701 passengers. The third-class passengers totalled 575, of whom 148 were assisted by the Government, 35 being farmers, 7 farm hands, 45 domestics and 19 wives who are rejoining their husbands. Except for a rough trip across the Bay of Biscay there was good weather. A male third class passenger named Payton died on the voyage and was buried at sea. A third-class passenger (a male) was detained by the Port Health Officer on the ground that he was suffering from a chest complaint and will be sent back by the Tainui.

Evening Post, 8 January 1912, Page 6
Napier, This Day. A passenger by the Mokoia, Mrs. Sarah Houldsworth, of Wellington, died last night at 9.30 on the voyage from Gisborne to Napier. She had been in ill-health for some years, and was returning home from a visit to Gisborne. She complained of severe pains in the head during the day. Deceased was a wife of Mr. F. Houldsworth, of the Land Tax Department, and was a native of Blenheim.

Evening Post, 12 August 1912, Page 3
Auckland, 11th August. On 7th July, during the voyage of the steamer Essex from Liverpool to Auckland, a third-class passenger named Thomas Dixon was found drowned in a bath. The body was buried at sea. Deceased, who was 29 years of age, and a native of Liverpool, was making the trip for the benefit of his health, as he suffered from consumption. He leaves a wife and two children.

Evening Post, 5 May 1914, Page 8
Auckland, This Day. Mervyn McRae, a passenger to Australia by the Makura, died shortly before the vessel reached Auckland. The cause of death was consumption.

Evening Post, 12 October 1914, Page 8
Auckland, This Day. Mrs. Nellie Osborne, a resident of Helensville, died on the Riverina on the voyage from Sydney to Auckland. She had been on a visit to Queensland for the benefit of her health, having gone into a decline owing to consumption.

Evening Post, 15 January 1915, Page 7
ONE OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. GISBORNE. This Day.
Advice has been received of the death at sea on 10th January, of pneumonia, of Malcolm Campbell, a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen with the Expeditionary Force, aged 40. He was a well known local settler.

Christchurch Press Saturday 21 June 1930
NORDICA In loving memory of Henry Allaus? Nordica, of Australia, South Africa of London who passed to the Higher Life on June 21st 1929 en route to New Zealand and was buried in the Red Sea, Honoured and loved by all classes and creeds. Is avowed Spiritualist

Christchurch Press Thursday 7 August 1930
Death at Sea - Wellington. A.H. CUNNINGHAM age 65 was a 3rd class passenger on the Rangitikei died 24 July 1930 travelling from Southampton to Wellington. Buried at sea.

Christchurch Press Wednesday 13 August 1930
Accident: Watersider killed in the hold of steamship Remuera at Lyttelton Harold LISTH age 51 born in Denmark

Seddon - "Digger Dick"

"Just leaving for God's own country."
Premier Richard John Seddon in a telegram in 1906 to the Victorian premier, Thomas Bent, on the eve of his departure. He died the next day on a ship, Oswestry Grange, returning from Australia. He was 61.

Sydney, June 11. Mr Seddon at 6.20 last night he was sitting with Mrs Seddon in his cabin, waiting for the dinner gong, when he suddenly placed his head on his wife's shoulder, and said, "Oh, mother," and died immediately. The vessel was 140 miles from the Heads at the time. The vessel returned to Sydney were the body was embalmed and then resumed its voyage to Wellington.

Thursday 28 Feb. 1895 Otago Witness page 23
The Wairarapa Relief Fund - Claims...
1. McDonald family consisting of four children, 12, 10, 8, 6
2. Mrs Mabel McLean, Melbourne
3. Mrs Lewis, Wynyard, Tasmania
4. Mrs Talbot, Drourana, widow of steerage passenger left with three children
5. Mrs Merrill, Melbourne
6. Mrs Simpson, Caithness, Scotland
8. Mrs McMillian, Waikouaiti
9. Mrs J.A. Holmies, London

Return of Births & Deaths on board the emigrant ship FIFESHIRE during the voyage from London to the settlement of Nelson
National Archives - NZC 36/8 Fifeshire papers, enclosure 5337/458, p.3 (some writing in this document is difficult to decipher and is therefore open to interpretation)

BIRTHS : 
Name of Mother Date of Delivery Sex Remarks
Elizabeth GIBSON 1841 	Nov 	13 female 
Mary MAGGARY 		 	18 female
Anne BIRD 			26 female
Isobel MOORE 		Dec 	 5 female
Elenor DILLON 			21 female
Hannah CLEVERLY 		31 female Died in 6 hours
Mary Anne JONES 1842 	Jan 	13 female Died in 28 hours
Fanny RICHARDSON 		14 female
Elizabeth PENNELLS 		18 female
Jane 				26 female

DEATHS :
Name of emigrant Age Date Nature of disease
Infant daughter R. CARTER 	14 wks 	1841 Oct   6 Diarrhoea
Infant daughter W. RICHARDSON 	1½ yrs     	 9 Disease Mesentine?
Son of W. PENNELLS 		1½ yrs 		14 Diarrhoea and
Mary HARPER 			35 		16 Abdominal inflammation
Daughter W. JONES 		16 mths 	22 Water on the head
Do Mr PENNELLS 			 1 yrs	 Nov 	10 Do
James DRAPER 			28 		26 Inflammation of brain
Son W. DRUMMOND   		 3 		29 Disease of Mesentine glands
Josiah WILLEY (WILLINGS?) 	27   	Dec 	17 Fever
Mr A. WILLINGS 			21 		22 Do
Son of E. JONES (JAMES?)   	 2 		25 Do
Hannah CLEVERLY 		29 1842	Jan   	 3 Consumption
Edward JAMES 			37   		 4 Abdominal Inflammation caused by a worm? perforating small intestines
Daughter W. JONES 		 8 		16 Putrid sore throat
MAGGARY (MARGARY?)		 	Feb   	 1 Consumption 4 hours after landing, 8 hours after ship arrived
"The foregoing returns are correct.  Wm SPENCE  Surgeon Superintendant."
Also see NZC/34/-/5/pp150-162 : various FIFESHIRE papers including passenger lists plus Deaths & Births at sea.

THE ADAMANT (from London) 1875
Six deaths, including the ships master, Captain Birch, who died six weeks before sighting Bluff.

CHRISTIAN M'AUSLAND (from Glasgow) 1875
A good deal of sickness was experienced on the voyage, and the ship has been placed in quarantine at Bluff.  On arrival there was two cases of scarlatina, twelve of whooping cough and four of bronchitis.  During the voyage there was twenty cases of scarlatina and one of typhoid fever. "There were eleven deaths, one from scarlet fever, six from whooping cough complicated with scarlatina, two from convulsions and three from diseases peculiar to infants".

PETER DENNY (from Glasgow to Bluff) 1875
She has been 87 days on the passage, eight deaths have occurred on board, one from enteritis, six from diarrhoea and one from consumption. 

"Chariot of Fame" departed London 21 Oct 1862, arrive Canterbury, NZ 29 Jan 1863
Births:-
Mrs ROWENTREE	 of a boy in lat. 1.2. N., long 31.15. on Nov 23rd
Mrs MURPHY	 of a boy in lat. 46. 25., long. 15.40 on Dec 23rd
Mrs SMITH	 of a boy in lat. 45.30. long 173. on Jan 24th
Mrs CURRY	 of a girl on 27th Jan

Deaths:-
Dahlia PARISH	 16 Nov from sea sickness, debility, eryalpelas, and congestion of the lungs
J. JENKINS	 aged  1 yr and 8 mths	 27 Nov of diarrhoea
J. SPARKS	 aged 13 mths 		 27 Nov of diarrhoea
S. SAVILLE	 aged  2 yrs		  6 Dec of gastric fever
E. BROWN	 aged  3 mths		 12 Dec of astrophy
J. PAGE		 aged 20 mths		 16 Dec of diarrhoea
E. MURPHY	 aged  9 days		  1 Jan of diarrhoea
A. CARTER	 aged  5 yrs		 13 Jan of diarrhoea
E. McDOWELL	 aged 16 mths		 17 Jan of diarrhoea
J. SMITH	 1 hour after birth	 24 Jan

Where a death was registered:

Inquests and post mortems were performed in exactly the same way as one would find in any other deaths in sudden or unexpected circumstances and this would be reported in immigrant Ship's Papers.  The newspaper of the day might have related the outcome of a "Public" Enquiry into the competency of the Surgeon Superintendent if there were a lot of deaths on board. Shipping Board of Enquiry Records.

From about 1854 the Captain of British registered ships were 'required' to record BMD events at sea and forward a copy of the information of those events to the BoT (Board of Trade), which were later supposed to be forwarded to the GRO (General Register Office) . . . some helpful Captains or Pursers also made notations on the passenger lists themselves. Below is a collaborative effort by the late Harry Dodsworth, Ottawa Ontario Canada and Debbie Beavis, which Harry posted to TSL, May 1, 2000.

The Board of Trade records (PRO groups BT158, BT159, BT160) cover births, deaths and a few marriages on British registered ships from 1854 to 1890 are available from the LDS on four films 1419469, 1419470, 1419471, 1419472. These are not well organised, or usefully indexed and an event may be recorded on any one of the four reels. However these are real registers (sometimes with gossippy comments) which make for interesting reading. Later BoT BMD records in group BT334 (1890 to 1972) don't appear to have been filmed by the LDS.

These Board of Trade records were supposed to be passed to the Registrar to be used in a GRO series. Sometimes this was not done, and sometimes entries were made directly to the GRO so are absent from the BoT registers. Also the GRO series started earlier. GRO Births at sea from 1837 to 1965 are available on 56 microfiche; however these are only indexes which contain names, dates and in some years, ship names. LDS Fiche numbers 6137268 - 6137322. The LDS Family Search Library Catalog will identify which fiche relates to which year.

GRO Deaths at sea from 1837 to 1965 are on 160 microfiche, again these are only indexes. LDS Fiche numbers 6137189 to 6137266.
The LDS Family Search Library Catalog will identify which fiche or fiches relate to which year. Observant readers may wonder what happened to microfiche 6137267. This is listed separately as: Index to informal certificate of births at sea (1-41) 1839 - 1867

Apparently BoT were passing marriage entries to the GRO but GRO were not processing these and were actually denying they had them! (source: mariners list). Marriages at sea were really rather rare and the GRO doesn't have a separate series. There is an RG34 series of miscellaneous foreign marriages for British nationals and at the end of the places named, the list adds - and at sea. I've no idea how many 'at sea' marriages are on the film. LDS have filmed these:
volume 1, 1826-1870 film number 1818071
volume 2, 1871-1895 1818072
volume 3, 1896-1900 1818073
volume 4, 1900-1905 1818074

The LDS catalog lists many other record groups which may contain a few BMD at sea events but the above seem the most likely. Note that these records generally refer to events on British registered ships whether the people are British or not. Also the ships need not have been trading between British (Empire) ports; so a birth on a Cunarder sailing from Trieste to New York may be recorded.

If he went down with his ship, you might have some problems finding him..... it's a great, big piece of water out there.....

Where to look for a record of death at sea for seaman?

Approximately three thousand seaman lost there lives through accidents and drowning between 1872 and 1884, while others died from disease e.g. cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery. 1850 Act created the Marine Department of the Board of Trade for improving conditions of Masters, Mates and Seamen and maintaining discipline in the merchant service.  In 1851 the Steam Navigation Act made provisions for the safety of sea travel. The 1854 Merchant Shipping Act was laid out. Flogging was outlawed on British vessels in 1879. Records of the RG of Shipping and Seamen PRO UK. Information leaflet. 

Causes of death at sea on emigrant vessels