The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-20 00:00:00

INQUESTS.

Before P. F. CURRY, ESQ., CORONER.
DEATH FBOM STARVATION.—Yesterday an inquest was
held on view of the body of George Clarke, who died in the
bridewell on the morning of Wednesday. Richard Poole, a
police-officer, said he was on duty at the Exchange on Tues-
day afternoon about five o'clock, when be saw a man lying
on the flags in the piazzas. He went to him and roused him
up, but was some time before he could get him to speak. The
man recovered a little, and was asked where he lived, and lie
said something, but in an inarticulate and very low tone.
Another man came to the assistance of the witness, and the
deceased was raised up. lie was able to stand, but could
not walk. He was then carried to bridewell, and booked for
safety and being drunk. He then gave his name as George
Clarke. Robert Jones, a seaman, stated he was in bridewell
at the time, for being drunk. He found the deceased lying
on the floor before the fire. He appeared to be dying, and
witness knocked for one of the officers, who came iMMe-

diately. A surgeon was sent for, and every attention was
paid to the deceased. He was able to speak at times, and
was perfectly sensible. He did not appear to get any better,
and died between five and six o'clock the following morning.
Thomas Ilenom assistant bridewell-keeper, stated that his
attention was called by the last witness to deceased, whom he
iound as described. Witness at first thought he was drunk,
but afterwards found he was not ; and as he appeared very
unwell, he called Mr. Parkinson, the keeper, to him. He
(`,rr. P.) asked him how he felt, and he said, rather poorly.
A messenger was sent to the Dispensary for a surgeon.
Mr. Deane came immediately, and ordered the deceased to
be supplied with gruel and wine every hour, which was done.
He visited him again at half-past nine o'clock, and also at a
quarter before one in the morning. Tbe officers on duty
visited the deceased every quarter o an hour, until half-past
five in the morning, when he expired. Mr. Samuel Deane,
surgeon, said he had made a post mortem examination of the
body, and was of opinion that the cause of death was a
serious congestion of the brain, produced by want and priva-
tion.—There was no appearance of the deceased having been
in liquor. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that " the
deceased died from want of the common necessaries of life."—
The coroner remarked that it was a lamentable fact that
within the last few weeks, inquests had been held on three
individuals who had perished from actual starvation.
DEATH NROlti APOPLEXY.—Same day, an inquest was
held.on view of the body of Michael M`Dermott. The de-
ceased lodged at the house of Mary Ann Boyland, in Skel-
home-street, and was 67 years old. That person said that
on Tuesday, evening last, a little after eight o'clock, the de-
ceased and she and several of the neighbours went to Ward's
public-house in Williamson-square, and returned home at a
quarter past eleven o'clock. The deceased was then quite
well, and in very good spirits. While they were out the
deceased had two glasses of whiskey only. Soon after they
had got home, the deceased bad for supper some cold meat
and potatoes. He took some copper out of his pocket to
send for some ale, and just as he did so witness observed a
change in him, and he appeared to be sick. He did not
throw up, was unable to speak, and in about ten minutes he
died. A surgeon was sent for, but the deceased was quite
dead when he came. He was sober.—Mr. Colquboun Jef-
frey, surgeon, stated that he had made a post mortem exa-
mination of the body, and was of opinion that the deceased
had died in a fit of apoplexy.—Verdict accordingly.

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting-of the Dock Committee was held yes-
terday in Revenue-buildings.
The SECRETARY read the proceeding of the last meeting,
and they were confirmed.
The SURVEYOR, in compliance with a resolution of the
committee at their last meeting, reported that the employ-
ment of workmen upon Sundays on the dock works was al-
ways avoided, except in cases where it was absolutely neces-
sary, and which, if omitted, would be attended with seri-
ous results.
The Sub-committee of Works reported that they had
taken into consideration the memorial of the British and
North American Association, praying for the erection of ad-
ditional sheds and stages, and also of an additional crane on
the quay c.f Brunswick Dock, and had resolved to recommend
that spars for ten stages be provided at the expense of the
Dock Trust, but the cross piccings and lashings by the ship-
owners ; that two sheds be erected on the quay of Bruns-
wick Dock ; that the subject of providing an additional crane
be postponed, but that a crane now nearly ready be placed on
the south-east side of Union Dock. A long discussion took
place on these several subjects, after which, it was resolved,
as to the stages, that the necessary timber for them be pro .
vided, anJ that reports be made quarterly of their condition.
As to the erection of sheds and of the crane, the recommen-
dations of the Sub-committee were adopted.
The Sub-committee of Works presented another report,
recommending that Prince's Basin be immediately deepened.
—Approved.

The same Sub-committee also reported that they had ex-
amined the model of a safety beacon submitted by Captain
Bullock, but that they could not recommend its adoption, or
any substitute for it, as it might be mistaken for some of the
leading marks, and thereby be the means of placing vessels
in considerable danger. After some discussion, a resolution
was passed that the Marine Surveyor should examine the
model, and report upon it to the committee next week.
A gratuity of 4:,-1 was ordered to be presented to Emanuel
Roderiguez, for having picked up the Bell beacon, in April
last.

The MARINE SURVEYOR reported, that, on the 17th inst.,
the Formby life-boat proceeded to the assistance of the ship
Scotland, which had been driven ashore on Jordan Flats.
Sixteen of the crew were brought away, and the remainder of
the passengers and crew, consisting of thirteen individuals,
were towed in the long-boat of the ship by the life-boat, and
landed near Formby Lighthouse. The Magazine and Liver-
pool life-boats, on perceiving the flag flying from the Rock
Lighthouse, also proceeded to tile wreck, and found her
abandoned ; but, with the assistance of a steamer, they
brought her to the Magazines in the evening.
Some other business of no public interest was transacted,
and the committee adjourned about half-past one.