The New York herald., 1879-08-28
THE STEAMER BRISTOL TRAGEDY.

CONTINUATION OF THE INQUEST INTO THE SUI
eide OF MISS LAvINIA ROACH.
The adjourned inquest in the case of Miss Lavina
Roach. the suicide. was begun in the whitestone
IL. ~ village hall yesterday morning. The follow
ing witnesses appeared before the Coroner. Dr. d.
Burne. and jury OF nine men Henry Wendelstorf,
who found the body in the Sound; William B. Smith
and Frank r. Young. Of Brooklyn, witnesses of the
tragedy Dr. William Badger. OF Flushing; Mr.. Bor-
den. agent of the Old Colony Steamship Company.
and Frank NJ Belts, chief steward Of the Bristol.
Mr.. James W. Covert appeared as counsel
for the steamship company. Henry Wendelstorf
("Dutch Henry'). who was the first witness
examined. testified that he found Miss Roachs body
floating about ono hundred yards from whitestono
Point. and towed it ut once to shore. There it
loft in charge of people living by. while Henry
rode post haste to Flushing to notify the Coroner
When Le returned he noticed for the first time that
the ears and portion Of tho lips had been eaten
away if by fish. While in the water the head and
feet had been concealed beneath the surface. Mr.
smith, c.erk in Front street. this city, testified that
he was passenger on the Bristol ut the time Miss
Roachs life lost. Soon after the steamer
passed through He'll Gate he the young woman
finally stepping aside and leaning over the rail.
She seemed seasick at rst and leaning too far over
suddenly tell and disappeared In the water. Wit
ness, who stood not more than ten feet distant
when the woman went overheard. immediately no
titled q waiter in the ladies' cabin, but the maid
seemed dazed and made reply. He then
addressed another waiter, apparently with no
more success Returning to the rail. he saw
object floating at some distance astorn; after
awhile the boat was stopped. but there was COM
motion among the passengers, and witness observed
effort the part Of the officers to
the unfortunate woman; it was then about half
past o'clock; the general feeling among
the passengers was one OF indignation at the inac
ton of the officers. but this was changed when the
character of the suicide became known. Mr.. Young
of No. 123 st. James place, Brooklyn, standing
with Mr.. Smith, near their stateroom. When he saw
Miss Roach leaning so tar over the rail he shouted
"Look out there. or you will be overheard - but
she ''toppled over and fell before the words had
fairly left his lips; he rushed to the side but tho
woman had diappeared the rail II very low and tho
vessel rolling heavily.
Dr. Badger testified to having made post-mortem
examination OF Miss Roach's body; 1t much
swollen from having lain long in the water; there
was q wound the forehead sufficient to have
caused unconsciousness but not death; he at first
thought the had been cut by dull knife but
now believes they were bitten by fish; he was una
BILE to say whether deceased to have become
mother. Steward Belts testified that while stand
ing in the port after gangway, about halpast six,
he heard faint scream, and looking up saw the
body OF woman fall from above. the head striking
tain-a journey OF 800 feet-and that officer sig
nailed to back the steamer; thirty men are en-
ployed the boat including four practical sailors.
They are drilled in the boats about twice u week. =
At this point the inquest adjourned till half
past ten A. NJ. next Monday when Mr.. Borden prom
ised to be with the captain and other officers
of the Bristol.