Morrison Inquest

A Record of the MORRISON Family History MORRISON Family History
Chapter 4
Morrison Inquest
The Shields Gazette, Monday, May 13, 1935
SONS QUESTION CORONER
South Shields Seagoing Fireman's Death
ACCIDENT RECALLED
Whether an accident which a man received a year ago had any connection with his death was a question asked at the inquest in Newcastle on Saturday, on Charles Alexander Morrison, aged 57,a ship's fireman, of Alexandra Street, South Shields, who died in Newcastle Infirmary last Thursday.
Medical evidence revealed that death was due to asthma, resulting from heart disease and blood pressure, which had no connection with any accident. A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned.
John Tate Watling a son-in-law, said that Morrison was employed on the steamer Ewell, belonging to the Wandsworth Gas Co. and trading between London and the Tyne. Last year he was struck on the head by the handle of a winch and knocked unconscious.
COLLAPSED ON VOYAGE
Although he later returned to duty, he collapsed on a trip to London. He remained 41 days in St. James's Hospital, London, and when he returned home his head was still bandaged. After medical treatment he was admitted to Newcastle Infirmary last Wednesday.
A son of Morrison stood up and suggested to the Coroner (Sir Alfred Appleby) that the accident probably brought on the heart attack. The Coroner, however, said that Morrison had had heart disease for sometime.
Another son then observed that his father had never been ill before the accident, which had given him a terrible shock.
The Coroner said that these views were not substantiated by the medical evidence. "I need not argue any more. You have heard the evidence," he added.