Lost at sea or not?

[cheekymole]

Robert Davies b.1847 Bolton, Lancs (calculated from headstone) d. 24 Sep 1881 and was interred Odessa Russia
He was a steam ship stoker.

My Mum was always under the impression that he was lost at sea but I can't find any evidence of any ships going down at that time.
Also if he was interred wouldn't that mean he couldn't be lost at sea?

I'm am majorly stuck on this one and any ideas would be gratefully received.

[tressle]

In the Marine deaths overseas there is a Robert Davies aged 36 died, the ship was the Hesper, 1881.  (Page 208) in case you would like to see if you can obtain the certificate.

Adding to this -

I have just found mentions in a newspaper (all references say ship is registered to West Hartlepool)

September 20th 1881
Shipping News
"Hesper (Skipper Watson) passed Constantinople bound for Odessa yesterday"

September 22nd 1881
Shipping News
"Hesper (Skipper Watson) arrived at Odessa yesterday"

September the 30th 1881
Shipping News
"Hesper (Skipper Watson) left Odessa for Dunkirk today"

Thats a coincidence, the time scale is absolutely spot on for him to be buried before they leave to sail on.

Tressle

[cheekymole]

Tressle - you are a star.

I've been away for the weekend and I come home to this brilliant info from you - thank you soooooo much.
Where did you find the newspaper articles please?

Thanks again

[cheekymole]

Does anybody know if there would be a death certificate for Robert.

He drowned whilst the ship he was on was docked in Odessa, Russia and he was interred there but I would like to know the circumstances surrounding his death.

Thanks

[tressle]

Hi Cheekymole

"The Marine deaths overseas there is a Robert Davies aged 36 died, the ship was the Hesper, 1881.  (Page 208) in case you would like to see if you can obtain the certificate".

I think the details I gave above should get you the death certificate from the GRO.  Order in the usual way but remember to state Overseas Index

GRO Marine Deaths Indices (1846-1902)
Davies, Robert, Age 36, Ship Hesper, Page 208.

Tressle

[LizzieW]

Just a small reference like that worked when I was ordering a death cert for my g.uncle who died in France.

Although GRO website does state:

Death certificates will normally include date and place of death (in respect of war deaths this may just state the country), name and surname of the deceased and often the age at death or date of birth.

So you may or may not see a cause of death on the certificate, it depends on what information was given when the death was registered.  Certainly, the death certificate I received for my g.uncle had less info that I already had from the CWGC site.

Good luck.

Lizzie

[cheekymole]

Thank you both, because I couldn't find a death for him on A******y I wasn't sure if there would be a certificate available.

I will order it now - only time will tell if it will give any more details than I have already but even if it doesn't, at least I will have the certificate.

Thanks again, I will let you know the outcome

[ushes]

Stumbled across this info so this is my first visit to the site.
I have a family interest in this steamship HESPER.  The skipper WATSON is my relation.  Does anyone have any further information on it please ?
regards
Steve

[seaweed]

HESPER Official number 81658
1655 GRT
Built by E Withy @ Hartlepool, Yard number 99.
Launched 12/7/1881 completed 8/1881
Engines 150 hp by Blair @ Stockton on Tees
257.8 X84.7 X 17.8
Owned by George Horsley and co.
POR Hartlepool
Lost with all hand Bristol Channel in Jan 1890 voyage Barry for Genoa with coal.
Most of her Crew Agreements are held by Memorial University of Newfoundland.
W Watson was master in the mid 1880's
I suggest you look in the London Metropolitan Archive for his entry in Lloyds Captains Register.