Coroner
Notes:
Whitehall, 18 Jun 1793, HM Excise Cutter Resolution. Whereas it has been humbly represented to the King, that on the 1st of February last, as HM Excise Cutter the Resolution was cruizing near Mort Bay in Bristol Channel, she fell in with a large armed Smuggling Lugger, which bore down and fired upon the Excise Cutter, whereby James Steward, One of the Crew was killed, and the Rigging, Sails and other Parts of the Cutter much damaged.
It has been also, humbly represented to the King, that the Coroner's Inquest, upon a View of the Body of the said James Steward, have brought in a Verdict of wilful Murder against Persons unknown.
His Majesty, for better discovering and bringing to Justice the Persons concerned in the above daring act cf Violence, is hereby pleased to promise His most gracious Pardon to any Person (except the Master, or Commander of the Smuggling Lugger) who shall discover his Accomplices therein, so that he or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof. Henry Dundas.
21 Apr 1799 HMS Loire, Plymouth, Mr. Whitford, coroner, took an inquisition on a seaman of the Loire, who fell from the main-top, and was killed : verdict, accidental death.
18 Jun 1799 HMS Saturn, Mr. Whitford, coroner for Plymouth, took an inquest on the body of a seaman of the Saturn, fitting for sea in Cawsand Bay, who fell from the larboard arm of the main-top-gallant-yard. He pitched on the bayonet of the marine centinel on the gangway which pierced through his eye and head. He languished about six hours, with both thighs broke, and then expired. He is much lamented by Captain Totty and the ship's company as an excellent seaman.
10 Apr 1800 HMS Cormorant, the corpse of Mr. Leddy, Surgeon's Mate of the Cormorant, who was drowned on Christmas Eve, at Portsmouth, was found in the harbour on the 10th instant. An inquest was held on the body, by Stephen Barney, Esq., Coroner for that Borough, and a verdict of accidental death returned.
21 Sep 1801 T.W. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a seaman, of the Centaur, who cut his throat so dreadfully as to expire on his arrival at the Royal Hospital. Verdict Lunacy.
19 Oct 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a seaman of the Amelia, who was desperately wounded by an accident of a loaded musket going off, while the armourer was cleaning it ; two more were wounded but recovered, one other seaman, was killed on the spot, and was buried at sea. Verdict on the above seaman, who died at the Royal Hospital, Accidental death.
21 Oct 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a Seaman, who fell from the main yard of the Royal George, into a loaded barge, fractured his skull, and died at the Royal Hospital, Plymouth, Verdict Accidental Death.
6 Nov 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a Marine, found drowned under Withy Hedge. Verdict, Accidental Death.
28 Nov 1801 this morning a jury sat on the body of the seaman of the Achille, shot by Lt Mudge, before Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, when, after sitting from ten A.M. till seven P.M. and examining several witnesses on the unhappy accident, and after a laborious and patient investigation of the existing circumstances of the case, unanimously returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Lt Mudge ; of course, he will take his trial at the next Exeter assizes.
29 Nov 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a seaman at Plymouth, who had received some prize-money, got extremely intoxicated, jumped out of window from a public-house in Dock, dislocated his neck, and died instantly. Verdict, Accidental Death through Intoxication.
1 Dec 1801 Mr. Whitford, also took an inquest on the body on a seaman found hanging in a linhay (also Linnedge: Devon and Dorset dialect for outbuilding, perhaps attached to a farm building, pronounced linnie) at Stoke : verdict, Lunacy.
1 Dec 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a seaman stowing the hold of a ship in Hamoaze, who was killed with the fall of a pig of iron ballast, which fractured one of his shoulders and arms so much, that he died at the Royal Hospital. Verdict, Accidental Death.
26 Dec 1801 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an Inquest on a Seaman, washed ashore at Mount Batten. Verdict, Accidental Death.
23 Jan 1802 Mr. Whitford, Coroner, took an inquest on the body of a seaman washed ashore under Gannycliffs, in the Sound. Verdict, found Dead.
13 Feb 1802 a marine cut his throat so dreadfully as to expire in the Royal Hospital in great agonies. He became desperate at being refused his discharge. Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body, and the jury found a verdict of Lunacy.
29 Mar 1802 this morning a seaman's wife of the Unicorn, 32, lying in the Sound, fell overboard and was drowned, though she was soon picked up by the jolly-boat's crew, lying alongside. Mr. Eastlake, Coroner for the borough, took an inquisition on the body at the Pier House, and the jury found a verdict of Found Drowned.
22 May 1802 Mr. Whitford, coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a Royal Marine at Tavistock, who drank such a quantity of raw spirits that he expired immediately.
10 Aug 1802 this forenoon Mr. Eastlake, Solicitor for the Admiralty at this port, and Coroner, took an inquest on the bodies of the two poor fishermen drowned on the Cobler's Reach. Verdict, Found Drowned.
15 Aug 1802 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of a seaman who hung himself in a sentry box near Stonehouse Hill. Some symptoms of derangement having appeared, the Jury found a verdict of Lunacy.
3 Oct 1802 Mr. Eastlake, Coroner, took an inquest on the body of a seaman found drowned in the Pool of Sutton : it is supposed he fell over the Barbican intoxicated and was evidently robbed of his wages, as his pockets were turned inside out Verdict. Accidental Death.
13 Oct 1802 Mr Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest at Yealm River, on a sailor boy, who was killed by a cask of gin rolling over him. Verdict, Accidental Death.
28 Nov 1802 Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an inquest on the body of an invalid soldier, found drowned in Cawsand Bay. Verdict, Accidental Death.
14 Jul 1832, CoastGuard, at an inquest held before the Coroner at Portsmouth Samuel Griggs of the Coast Guard Service was found guilty of wilful murder, having supposedly killed Matthew Kennett, Esg., whilst running a quantity of contraband goods.
24 Sep 1841, HMS Styx, 23 Sep 1841 at a coroner's court held at the Globe Inne, Blackwall, a seaman, Francis Beach, age 28, of this ship, died by his own hand, whilst temporarily insane.
24 Dec 1842, HMS Hecate, at the Coroner's Court at Gosport an inquest was held on the body of Able Seaman John Smith, lately invalided from the Hecate, at Malta, who, having drunk to excess, died suddenly in the tap room of the Northumberland public house.
30 Dec 1870, HMS Cambridge, during drill a sword bayonet flew off a rifle and struck Gunner 2nd class John Hodge, who subsequently died on Sunday night. The jury, at the coroner's court, agreed that the wound was inflicted accidentally.
28 Jun 1886, HMS Opal, in Farm Cove, Sydney, whilst firing a Royal salute, one of the MLR guns, 64-pndr., exploded without warning, killing A.B. Frederick Harvey, and critically injuring James Talbot, a gunner in the RMA, who was admitted to Sydney hospital. The coroner, without carrying out an inquest decided it was an accident.