Death at Sea

[angela48]

Hi:
I have an ancestor who was a sailor in the merchant marines and died in an accident on the ship at sea. He has a common name - John Morris - and there are several by that name who died in 1887. I can't figure out which one is him because I don't know what location of death they use in these cases. Would appreciate it if anyone can enlighten me. Also, I believe I have the name of the ship - Lodestar - and wondered if there was any resource for finding the ships records?
Thanks
Angela

[stanmapstone]

In the Register of Deaths at Sea 1887 there are only two, a John Morris, age 27, drowned 20th Jan. 1887, ships name Kapunda, and a J.M. Morris, age 27, 3rd. June 1887, Supposed Suicide, ships name City of Chester.

Stan

[angela48]

Thanks, Stan. My John Morris was born in 1840 so would have been 47 at the time. Perhaps his ship was docked rather than at sea. Family lore has it that he fell down a hold and was killed.

[jeanlit]

Sorry to interrupt - stanmapstone mentioned "Register of Deaths at Sea" .   

Where and what period does it cover please?

My interest is the death of Walter Rushby,  aged 2, who was supposedly travelling with his family to Australia on the "Champion" in 1840.

A family member has indicated that he died "off the Cape of Good Hope".   We have been unable to confirm this - he was certainly born in England in about 1838;  but he was not shown on the immigrant records on arrival in Australia.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jean

[stanmapstone]

Unfortunately they are only from 1854. British nationals died at sea,1854-1890 is on FindMyPast
See See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/births-marriages-deaths-sea.htm

Stan

[seaweed]

If he died whilst his ship was in dock in a foreign port it should be recorded in the deaths at sea register. I am away from home at the moment for some reason I cannot access FindMyPast. Have you checked the overseas deaths?
The vessel LODESTAR official number 89628 built in 1884 and registered in London.
Her logbook would have given details of his death however this seems to have been lost or destroyed. Her Crew Agreement for 1887 is available from http://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/viewcombinedcrews.php?Official_No=89628
This should tell you when and where he left the ship and maybe the cause of his demise.
You would have to ask the cost.

[stanmapstone]

Have you checked the overseas deaths?

In the Register of overseas deaths, there are only two, a John Morris, age 27, drowned 20th Jan. 1887, ship name Kapunda, and  John MORRIS, Vessel : Gael at sea Year: 1887 Age at death: 20

Stan

[jeanlit]

Thanks for your help, Stan

Jean

[seaweed]

Have you checked the overseas deaths?

In the Register of overseas deaths, there are only two, a John Morris, age 27, drowned 20th Jan. 1887, ship name Kapunda, and  John MORRIS, Vessel : Gael at sea Year: 1887 Age at death: 20

Stan

Thanks for looking Stan.
Angela. Could you give us a little more information on your man, such as full name, date and place of birth?
Could you elaborate on why you believe he was lost from LODESTAR.