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Archiver > Mariners > 2002-08 > 1028409497


From: "Debbie Beavis" <>
Subject: [Mar] RE:Vessell BILLOW Some More Thoughts
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 2002 22:18:17 +0100
In-Reply-To: <005401c239ee$907e6f40$d309fc3e@Wilsonwheeler.tesco.net>


I am gradually getting to the bottom of my file of questions needing answers
and this one has turned up twice so here we are again.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jenny DeAngelis" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: 01 August 2002 22:42
> Subject: [Mar] Vessell BILLOW October 1882, a Drowning!
>
>
> > I have just received the death certificate for what I believe to be my
Gt.Grandfather John Smith who is shown to have been the First mate on board
> the Billow, official Number 84527 registered at Hartlepool Co.
> Durham, when he drowned on 9th October 1882.
<snip>
> I found John's death on the GRO Deaths at sea index but someone has told
> me that there is a listing of deaths at sea held at the PRO which
sometimes
> gives detail of how the person came to die if it was by accident. This is
what I >was told

> > >> The Merchant Navy (or Navy etc) keep a log of all deaths at
> sea. They
> > file them by the month and year and every serving sailor who
> lost his life
<snip>

> > Is anyone able to tell me what this list is called so that I can contact
> the PRO to enquire?

BT334, Registers and Indexes of B,M,Ds of Passengers & Seamen at Sea didn't
commence until 1891 for deaths. The most useful series, Registers of Wages
and Effects of Deceased Seamen in BT153 are wanting for the period you need.

BT157, Registers of Seamen's Deaths Classified By Cause cover your period.
They are divided into sections according to the most common causes of death.
It may well just record 'drowning' but it should give the place of death and
that might even be the co-ordinates you need in order to verify David
Asprey's earlier suggestion. It's worth a try, but as someone else already
explained, the PRO no longer operate their paid research service so it will
mean hiring someone.

Debbie Beavis




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