BARGEMAN'S DEATH THE INQUEST. CARELESS HANDLING OF RIFLE.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860-1954) Wednesday 22 May 1929 p 6 Article
BARGEMAN'S DEATH
THE INQUEST.
CARELESS HANDLING OF RIFLE.
I An inquest was opened yesterday, before the Coroner (Mr H. B. White). Senior-Constable Williams representing the police, on the body of Frederick Douglas Hardwick, aged 20 years, who, early on Monday morning, was found in the forecastle of the ketch Swift with a bullet wound through the heart.
Charles Sutcliffe, stepfather of deceased, residing at 131 Bathurst Street, gave evidence of identification. He said Hardwick had suffered from ill-health, and was operated on 10 months ago for appendicitis. He repeatedly complained of pains in the body. As far as witness knew deceased had no worries, and he never gave the impression of being likely to commit suicide.
Frederick Herbert, deckhand on the Swift, said he met deceased at 8.15 on Monday morning, ard they went on board the vessel and into the forecastle together. Hardwick said he was going to clean the rille, and witness went on deck to his work. Later he went for a walk, and, returning about 9 a.m., he met Captain Sward, and they boarded the ketch together. Sward went to his cabin aft, and witness saw deceased put his head out of the forecastle, and heard him say, "Oh." Witness ran forward, and saw deceased lying on the floor of the forecastle. Witness put a pillow under his head, thinking He had had a fit he then called out to Sward, who was on thh dock, and the latter went away to get a constable and a doctor. During Sward's absence Henry John Price came aboard and entered the fore-castle. Witness then picked up the rifle, which was his property, and broke the breech. It had a discharged shell in the barrel, which he took out with a knife, as the ejector was out of order. He did not know at the time that Hardwick had been shot. He had frequently cautioned deceased about his careless use of the rifle. Deceased complained of pains at times, but had never given any indication of contemplating suicide.
Herbert Huon Sward, master of the Swift, said he was standing on the dock when Herbert called out to him to go and have a look at Hardwick. He looked into the forecastle, saw deceased was in a bad way, and went and informed Sergeant Wright, who rang up Dr. Goddard. He had often warned deceased to be careful with the rifle, and also had heard Herbert do so. Deceased was ill some time ago, but was always in good spirits. He considered that Hardwick accidentally shot himself, and he was not surprised that Herbert did not hear a shot in the forecastle. Why deceased should put a cartridge in the rifle while at Hobart he did not know.
The inquiry at this stage was adjourned until Monday.
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BARGEMAN'S DEATH
Pea Rifle Tragedy Verdict of Accidental Death
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860-1954) Tuesday 28 May 1929 p 3 Article
BARGEMAN'S DEATH
Pea Rifle Tragedy
Verdict of Accidental Death
The inquest on the body of Frederick Douglas Hardwick, aged 20 years, of 13 Central Street, Hobart, who was found on the morning of May 20 in the forecastle of the ketch Swift, shot through the heart, with a pea rifle which he had been cleaning lying beside him, was resumed yesterday before the coroner (Mr. H. B. White). Metropolitan Superintendent W. G. Oakes conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police.
Victor , Richard Ratten, Surgeon Superintendent of the Hobart Public Hospital, said that he had made a post mortem examination of the body of deceased, and had found that death was due to a bullet having passed through the heart and the left lung. There were powder marks on the garments worn by deceased, and witness was therefore of opinion that either the barrel of the rifle was pressing against deceased's chest when the shot was fired or that it was fired from a distance of not more than 2ft.
Henry John Price, seaman, said that he was standing on the corner of Vic toria Dock at 9 o'clock on the morning of May 20 talking to Captain Sward, of the Swift, when Frederick Herbert, who was employed on the Swift, called out to the captain that he had better come on board and see Hardwick, who was very white and did not speak. "Witness went on board with Sward, and saw a man half lying in the forecastle. He appeared to be dead, and a rifle was lying beneath his legs. Witness did not know at the time that Hardwick was shot; there were no signs of blood.
Detective Wright stated that in com- pany with Detective Smith he visited the ketch Swift on the evening of May 21. In the forecastle he pressed the rifle into a piece of hardwood covered with an old sock and fired several shots. While witness was firing the shots Detective Smith was standing about 15 feet along the deck, and he said the reports could scarcely be heard. The evening was quiet.
The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.
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