Death at Sea record - no ship?

[Jang]

I'm confused about the Death at Sea record (BT 334)I found for William Blackburn who died on 26 June 1905 at Stockton Durham. Under Rank, Profession or Occupation it says (12128) or it could be (12428) - it's a bit unclear. There is no ship listed. Does this mean he died in Stockton (which is where he lived)? And if so, why is he listed as a Death at Sea?

Jan

[Billyblue]

He may have gone out in a small boat and died.
I once discovered a guy whose fishing boat (dinghy) had drifted into shore and he was dead in it - this happened near a seaside YHA near Brisbane.  From his posture in the boat it appeared he had had a heart attack.  He didn't drown, but it was classed as a death at sea.

Dawn M

[Jang]

Thanks, Dawn, I hadn't thought of that .

I forgot to mention that, according to the 1881 census, William was a "sea engineer mariner". He's not living with his family in Stockton in 1899 or 1901 - I'm guessing he was probably at sea.

The actual record lists the names of the ships the deceased were on - except for William. He's the only one on the page with a blank space there.

Jan