Friends of Hastings Cemetery

AU B27 - Phillips, Frederick Charles, aged 19  Died June 1891

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 04 July 1891
THE FISHING BOAT FATALITY.

An inquest was held on Monday evening, at the Market Hall, by the Borough Coroner, on the body of Frederick Charles Phillips, tbe fisherman who was drowned off Bulverhythe a few weeks ago.— Mr. George Adams was chosen foreman of the Jury.

Samuel Young said that he was the master of the Sunbeam fishing boat.  Deceased was a fisherman employed in bis boat, and was 19 yean of age.  He lived in All Saints-street. They were out fishing on the 9th, and were sailing back to Hastings after a night's fishing at about 11 o'clock.  Deceased, who was on deck with the rest, in walking forward, slipped, and fell over the lee side of the boat.  He had his sea boots and oilskins on.  They turned round, and threw a line to him, but it was not long enough for him to catch, and before they could reach the spot he sank.  He was above water about two minutes. They had no lifebuoys on board, or else be would have been saved.

Witness thought tbat the carrying of lifebuoys should be compulsory.  They remained about the spot for half hour, but could not find the body.  They went out on the previous afternoon.

Charles Moon deposed that he was fisherman, and on Monday morning he was going fishing near Galley Hill, at about 3.30 a.m, when he saw the body of a man floating about 100 yards from the shore.  He got it into his boat, and brought it to the mortuary.—Dr. Shorter, police surgeon, said that he examined the body on Monday morning, and found the face and right hand much decomposed.  No marks of violence or struggle were on the body. He should say death was due to drowning

The Jury returned verdict of "Accidental Drowning,"adding that they agreed with the first witness that the carrying of lifebuoys should be compulsory.