Deaths in Sunderland Shipyards

[Crumblie]

There were probably many deaths that were not reported in any newspapers. In those days health and safety was non-existent in shipbuilding, mining, steelworks to name just a few. Accidents whether fatal or not were seen as just part of the job. If they were fatal friends of the deceased were often refused time off to attend their funeral and would be sacked if they did anyway.

[stanmapstone]

Death Cert says "fracture of the skull due to falling down the hold of a ship in course of construction whilst following his employment; accidental".

Even if there was a newspaper report it is unlikely that it  would give you any more information than what is on the death certificate.

There were probably many deaths that were not reported in any newspapers.

Inquests were usually reported in the local newspaper.


Stan

[stanmapstone]

Even if there was a newspaper report it is unlikely that it  would give you any more information than what is on the death certificate.
Stan

This is an example from the Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 04 September 1929

[Lydia2017]

Many thanks to all those responding. I found a coal miner Solan (my mother's family's name) newspaper death report - a sibling of my great grandfather. It was quite a long article  and apparently 500 people lined the streets in respect as he was taken to the graveside and a brass band of miners plays in the late 1800s. So I know some inquests are reported. Another ancestor in the 1800s killed herself leaving 5 or 6 children and that was in the papers.

I think that is right that the Sunderland Echo is not on that database which is probably the issue rather than that it was hushed up in some way. I will see if I can get copies of the 1930 issues elsewhere. I wish my mother (his only child) were alive as she always wanted more information about her father and his family. It is possible 1930 was a very difficult year - great depression just started whereas late 1800s mining was booming and more money around so the newspaper reporting etc might just have been different by that time.

[Ryhopelad]

Hello Lydia

There is an inquest report in the Sunderland Echo for William but unfortunately it is only a few lines. When I find an inquest relating to the shipyard deaths I always download a copy for my records but with this report being so short I just copied it out. I would be only too pleased to forward a copy to you, as well as the death announcement, acknowledgement  and a copy of the cemetery record. I have not yet been able to visit the cemetery to see if there is a headstone. Looking at my records for the 1930's it would appear that William's inquest is the only one that is so short the others are quite detailed.
 
If you require the original item from the newspaper I would be able to get this for you as I visit the Sunderland Local Studies library regularly, but it could be some time before restrictions are lifted and I am able to continue my research.

You mention a list of those who lost their lives in the shipyards, it was because that there are no records of the men and boys killed that I began my research over 15 years ago. There is not one facility that has any records, if I remember correctly Durham Record Office have one original inquest report of a shipyard death in their records. My only resource has been the newspaper microfilms in the Local Studies Library, which I have gone through in fine detail looking for accident reports. I am now up to 1969 but because of the current situation have had to put my research on hold. I have now over a thousand names the first dating back to Thomas Charlton aged 58 years who was killed on the 31st December 1831.

I think it is a disgrace  that men like Thomas Charlton and your grandfather who lost their lives following their employment are not known or remembered.

I will contact you by personal message with my email address, just let me know if you require the information I have.

Ryhopelad

[Lydia2017]

Thank you. That is really helpful. I will email you and it would be nice to see the very short report - just a transcription is fine unless you have time to get a copy next time you go there.

My mother's life was totally changed from what it might have been because of losing her father when she was 4 months old. Her mother never had much money. On the other hand I suspect because she was then an only child she had a bit more attention as no siblings and was able to go to pass the 11+ for grammar school and qualify as a teacher but even so it was very hard to grow up without a father. She used to go with her mother to do debt collection work for small debts as a child  and her mother was school caretaker by 1939 census  and there was certainly not much money at all. It was quite sad as William was one of ten children and only five including William survived childhood and then William died too which left his parents with only 4 out of 10 children. We do have a few pictures of him.

It is very good of you to try to keep alive the memory of these shipyard workers who died. I always wondered if he might have jumped to his death and they tried to cover it up and that was why there was no records that I could find but he had been married just 16 months or so with a new baby and his wife , was very happy and her family were Catholic so suicide was extremely unlikely and I am sure the death cert is true - that he fell from a height at work.

[Thunderbird167]

Message for Ryhopelad.

Can you contact me as I am very interested in you research

I am working on a new maritime exhibition for the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum next to Nissan and think the shipyards and the sacrifices made should be represented

[Ryhopelad]

Hello Thunderbird 167

Apologies for not replying by the message board, sent a private message with my email address which it looks as though you may have not received. Thanks for your interest in my research if you can give me some idea how I can assist you, I will do my best to help.

Ryhopelad

[Danny61]

In 1935/6 ayoung man, Robert (Bobby) Brewerton, was killed in an accident at Bartrams. He was crushed to death by a large piece of metal which was being swung into place.  He was just 25. I have the Echo report of the inquest, where a verdict of accidental death was recorded. Bobby was a father of 2, with a 3rd child due.  In 1948, another man was crushed to death at the same yard, this time by a lorry. This other man was Bobby Brewerton, senior. To compound the misery of this family, young Bobby's wife, Etty, died aged just 26, leaving 3 children orphaned. I know this through family tree research, as Bobby Snr married my grandmother, Mary Ann Forrest, in 1943. My own Grandmother had already lost 2 husbands previously.   It was a tough life in those days