Died at sea - Help please

[Paul Johnson of Hartlepool UK]

Hi all,

Can someone advice me where I should look next.

I have ancestor, William Dawkins born circa 1824 who was from Hartlepool, Durham, that was a Master Marina who died at sea on or about  22nd January 1863. This information I got from the National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1861-1941 record for William Dawkins. In the 1861 census he was aboard the Sea Nymph in Renfrewshire, Scotland.

What I would like to find out is information about his death, but I cannot find his record in the death register. Does anyone know how I will find it, or anything like newspaper articles about it, any information about his death and the ship that he was on etc? Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[stanmapstone]

Deaths at sea were recorded in a Marine Register.

See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/births-marriages-deaths-sea.htm

Stan
   

[Paul Johnson of Hartlepool UK]

Thank you Stan,

I've just tried there, and it guided me to www.BMDregiters.co.uk. Unfortunately I could not find his record there either. 

[copperbeech5]

Hi Paul,

I have just gone through a similar problem.  I would suggest that you contact the local history dept, at the Library local to where this happened, and as you have a fairly specific date of death, ask them if they might be prepared to have a look for you in old newspapers.

I was given some fantastic info by doing exactly this.

Good luck!

Copperbeech5

[stanmapstone]

You could try contacting  Hartlepool library, I believe they have a newspaper collection. http://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/info/200062/libraries/824/reference_library

Stan

[jomcd967]

Hi Paul,

From "The Standard" (London, England), Wednesday, January 21st, 1863, page 3, Issue 11995

Dearths - Hawkins - Dec 21, lost on board the Lifeguard steamer, age 21.

There is an account of "the supposed loss of the Lifeguard Steamer" in the  Daily News (London) on the 27th of December, 1862, which describes as last being seen off Scarborough, having left from the Tyne. It then described a fierce storm. I can send you a copy if you like.

Although the death date is a month earlier, maybe this was when he was "Officially Declared Dead".

Regards, Jo  

[jomcd967]

I just found another article about the Lifeguard, which lists the crew and passengers. Unfortunately the William Hawkins on board was not a crew member but a saloon passenger = a draughtsman with R Stevenson & Co. Sorry!

Jo 

[Paul Johnson of Hartlepool UK]

Hi,

Thank you Cooperbeech5 and Stan, I will contact Hartlepool library to see if they can help me.
Jo, that's great information. Where did you go to find it?

Regards, Paul

[jomcd967]

Hi Paul,

I was searching the 19th Century British Library Newspapers (available to search on line with a library card from my local library). While it seems that that was the wrong William Hawkins - I did find an article in 'The Birmingham Daily Post', Jan 22, 1863, that talks about a great storm the previous night. "the weather appears to have moderated a little, but numerous disasters have occurred in the channel. Amongst the vessels reported as stranded and wrecked are the Rubin from Woodpoint for Glasson Dock; the JG Storer from Portland for Kingstown, total loss but the captain and crew were all saved; the Admiral, from Liverpool to Bombay, crew saved but vessel breaking up; And Pride of Canada. A vessel, name unknown, was lost at Waterloo, and all hands, it is feared, are lost. North West lightship is still displaying signals of distress"

Because the date matches your date of death it would be worth trying to find out more about the ship "name unknown" that lost all it's crew. It's late here and I'm heading to bed, but please let me know if you have any luck and I will happily search further another time.

Merry christmas, Jo