THE SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT THE BARROW SHIPYARD

FATAL TERMINATION

The death occurred at the North Lonsdale Hospital, Barrow about 7-15 last night, of Mr. Daniel Batiste, who, it will be remembered, was shockingly injured at the Barrow Shipyard on Tuesday last. Deceased, who was a charge hand to the sailorman’s squad, was superintending the swinging of a quantity of timber into a wagon by means of a cantilever crane, when the wood slipped out of the sling, and fell on to him. He was very badly injured, particularly about the head, which was fearfully lacerated. He was unconscious when taken to the hospital, and remained so up to the time of his death. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children, the youngest of whom is only a few months old.

THE BARROW SHIPYARD FATALITY

INQUEST THIS AFTERNOON

RECOMMENDATION FROM THE JURY

The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Daniel Batiste, who died at the North Lonsdale Hospital on Thursday last from injuries sustained in an accident at the Shipyard on Tuesday week, was resumed at the North Lonsdale Hospital this afternoon by Mr. Coroner Poole and a jury, of which Mr. J. H. Wilkinson was foreman. Mr. Law, His Majesty’s Inspector, was present. Mr. Bradshaw represented the firm of Messrs. Vickers, Sons, and Maxim, Limited, and Mr. Townsend the relatives of the deceased.

Thomas Quinn, of 7f, Steamer-street, ship-wright, stated that at ten minutes past twelve on the day in question he had occasion to raise some timber on to the “King Alfred”, which is in course of construction. He got a hoop rope, and made a sling out of it, and asked deceased and another man to give him a lift to put it on the crane hook. The timber was of different lengths, averaging about 16ft. He could not say how many pieces of timber there were. One part of the rope was roved (i.e. passed through and round) through the other, and it wrapped round the timber once. He could not say who the responsible party for supervising the work. Batiste had charge of the slingers, but on this occasion witness put sling on previous to the crane lifting the timber. He asked Batiste if the timber was all right, and he replied in the affirmative. Witness was then called away by another workman some three yards away, and he subsequently heard a rumble of timber, and on turning round he say deceased lying on the ground. He did not see the timber fall, as his back was towards it. The rope had not broken. The pieces of timber had slipped out. Deceased was insensible, and witness helped carry him to the gatehouse. He was afterwards taken to the hospital.

By Mr. Law: That was the usual way of slinging timber, except in cases of heavy timber, when the bridle was used.

By Mr. Bradshaw: The weight of the timber was about half a ton.

By a juror: It was usual to use rope slings, and not chains, as the latter damaged the timber. A chain would have gripped better than a rope. He thought the rope in this instance was quite safe. Timber might slip from a chain, but a chain sling would have a better grip. He seldom had anything to do with slinging timber, but on this occasion he was waiting and deceased told him it was safe.

A Juror: He (deceased) must have thought it was safe, or he would not stand where he did.

Samuel Pengelly, of Cameron-street, general slinger and signalman, said he was working under the direction of Batiste. Last witness had a sling around some timber, and witness and deceased came up with the crane, and hooked on to the timber, taking the weight and satisfying themselves that it was correct. The next he heard was someone shouting “look out” and on looking round he saw the timber falling, burying deceased.

By Mr. Bradshaw: Witness gave the signal for the timber to be heaved up but he could not recollect how high it was when he left. Deceased was standing underneath.

………………………………………………. (more debate)

Dr. Crowe, house surgeon, stated that the deceased died from shock consequent on a fracture of the skull.

The Coroner, having briefly summed up, in the course of which he paid a warm tribute to the deceased general character and kindly disposition, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”, recommending also that in future chains should be used instead of rope.

Mr. Batiste was given an impressive funeral with a specially prepared carriage of the Fire Brigade of Messrs. Vickers, Sons, and Maxim’s Naval Construction Works. 400 mourners paid their respects. 

NWDM Aug 26 1901

1901 Census

Ancestry tells us in the 1901 Census that the Batiste family lived at 5 Earle Street, Barrow Island. The household consisted of Daniel Batiste (43) shipyard labourer, born Alderney, Channel Islands; Jane Batiste (41), born Wentworth, Cambs; Thomas (17) Apprentice shipwright; Ethel (15), no occupation; Harry (12); Daniel (9); Margaret (7); Edward (4).

All the children were born in Barrow, and presumably several should have been listed as ‘scholars’.

1891 Census

In the 1891 Census the family had been at 17C Egerton Buildings.

Apparently Daniel had moved to Barrow with his parents and family. In the 1881 Census they were living at 13 Foreman’s Cottages: father Daniel (51), born Guernsey, was a carpenter; sharing with mother Margaret (46), born Alderney; Daniel (23), Labourer at Dock; born Alderney; Rachel (13), scholar, born Alderney; Isaac (10), scholar, born Alderney; Annie (9), scholar, born Alderney; Charlotte (1), born Barrow.

National Probate Calendar

The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1901 has the following: BATISTE Daniel of 5 Earle-street Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire chargeman-labourer died 22 August 1901 at the North Lonsdale-hospital Barrow-in-Furness Administration Lancaster 16 October to Jane Batiste widow Effects £29.

Cumbria BMD

Cumbria BMD supplies birth years and middle names: 1884 Thomas Andrew; 1886 Esther Ethel; 1888 Harry; 1891 Daniel; 1896 Edward; 1901 Ddora sic. We can also identity some marriages: 1883 Daniel Batiste & Jane Dewey @ St John’s; 1914 Harry Batiste & Lydia A Stutchbury @ St. Mary, Walney; 1936 Dora Batiste & Richard H P Carr @ St George’s.

 

Edward’s Pennsylvania death certificate can be found on Ancestry. He was a retired die maker, living in Philadelphia, and died on 19 February 1963 of ‘Acute Coronary Occlusion’.

Widow Jane was living with daughter Dora and son-in-law Richard at 51-52 Farmer’s Arms, Newton at the time of the 1939 Register.