From the Register of Deaths at Sea :
Ship : Burswell, Reg No. 76222, Missing since 6/12/1885, David Bell, age 42, Cook, Place of Birth - Dundee, Last Abode - 2 North St., South Shields, Cause of Death - Supposed Drowned. Registered February 1886.
An article in the North Eastern Daily Gazette, Monday Dec 31 1885.
"A Newcastle Steamer Overdue"
Grave fears are entertained for the safety of the screw steamer Burswell belonging to Messrs Temperley and Co., Quayside, Newcastle. The vessel left the Tyne for Genoa, coal laden, on the 3rd inst., and was reported off Dover the following day, but has not since been heard of. The voyage is usually made in fourteen days, and the vessel is therefore considerably overdue. The crew, 28 hands all told, signed articles at the South Shields Shipping Office on the 2nd inst....... The Burswell was built at Willington Quay in 1878 and is a vessel of 1,861 tons Gross Register, having engines of 209 horse power.
Lists the crew, including Master, Mr C.S. Mills (43) of Liverpool, and Cook, D.Bell (42) of 2 North St., South Shields.
Alan.
