Inquest and Verdict
Before the coroner (Mr. P. C. Maxwell), and a jury of seven (Messrs. J. Chamberlain (foreman), G. L. Barton, C. Goodwin, R. Clark, E. L. Horne, W. Hadley and F. S. Wilson), an inquest was held at Latrobe yesterday on the two dead bodies found in a boat on the East Beach, Port Sorell. After the bodies had been viewed by the coroner and jury the following evidence was taken: - Charles Cannon, fisherman, residing at Port Sorell, deposed that he had seen the two bodies and identified them as those of Walter Cannon, his son, and Charles Hewitt. Did not know Hewitt till he saw him with his son about 10 days ago. His son was 28 years of age, and a native of Victoria. Hewitt told witness that he was a native of Dunedin, New Zealand. Should think he was 18 or 19 years of age. Saw both of them for the last time on the 10th inst., at Port Sorell. They were fishing in the river on that night, and on the following day saw them pull out of river on to the beach to get their anchor. His son told him, if he could get a lot of fish, he would take them to Beaconsfield and steamer them up to Launceston. Then he would return to Port Sorell. Never saw either of them again alive. On the 16th inst. he was going up to Green’s Creek and saw the sails and mast of their boat lying on a sandbank in the river. Next day he saw the boat containing the two dead bodies. He had not heard or seen anything of them from the time they left. Both on Sunday and Monday nights the weather was very rough. The last time he saw the two men they appeared to be in good health and spirits. To the coroner: There was a heavy sea running when they left. His son could handle a boat well and was a good swimmer. William Williams, a fisherman, residing at Port Sorell, deposed that on Tuesday afternoon at about 4 o‘clock, on his return home from Latrobe, he heard that a sail and mast had been found at Port Sorell. He took his boat at once and searched the beach, his son and daughter accompanying him. Came across the well boards and rudder smashed. Half a mile further on he found, on the East Beach, a boat just inside the river reef, and about six yards from high-water mark. The two bodies that he, with the coroner and jury, had just seen were in the boat. One was the body of Walter Cannon; the other of Charles Hewitt. The body of Hewitt was in a sitting position on the well-head. Cannon’s body was lying on its stomach on the well-head, his face towards the keel. Last time he saw them alive was on the Wednesday previous. He then sent word to the police, and on Thursday accompanied Sub- Inspector Palmer to the spot. The boat was stove in. There are tow dangerous reefs, one of which the boatmen had safely cleared. Sunday and Monday nights were very dark and very rough, strong northeasterly breezes blowing. Cannon knew that part of the coast well, but it would be easy to miss one’s way on such nights. To the coroner: If they went to Beaconsfield they would have a strong head wind all the way. Also the wind would be from the Northeast on their return. Cannon was a good swimmer, and a competent boatman. John Walter Palmer, Sub-Inspector of Police, stationed at Latrobe, deposed that owing to a report received from Port Sorell, he went out on Wednesday, and, accompanied by the two last witnesses, was taken to the boat containing the two bodies, the same as had just been viewed by the coroner and jury. The body of Hewitt was in a sitting position on the well-head. Cannon’s body was lying on its stomach on the well-head, his face towards the keel. Last time he saw them alive was on the Wednesday previous. He then sent word to the police, and on Thursday accompanied Sub-Inspector Palmer to the spot. The boat was stove in. There are two dangerous reefs, one of which the boatmen had safely cleared. Sunday and Monday nights were very dark and very rough, strong northeasterly breezes blowing. Cannon knew that part of the coast well, but it would be easy to miss one’s way on such nights. To the coroner: If they went to Beaconsfield they would have a strong head wind all the way. Also the wind would be from the northeast on their return. Cannon was a good swimmer, and a competent boatman. John Walter Palmer, Sub-Inspector of Police, stationed at Latrobe, deposed that owing to a report received from Port Sorell, he went out on Wednesday, and accompanied by the two last witnesses, was taken to the boat containing the two bodies, the same as just had been viewed by the coroner and jury. The body of Hewitt was in a sitting position in the well of the boat, his arms being extended at full length and grasping part of the well and net on each side. His head was slightly thrown back, his mouth and eyes being wide open. Cannon was lying on his stomach, both legs extended across the well from side to side of the boat. His legs were on each side of Hewitt as he sat. Both men had on very little clothing. In a waistcoat, he found a watch and chain, chamois purse, and penknife. The watch had stopped at twenty minutes to eight. Was told that the waistcoat belonged to Hewitt. The boat was about six or eight yards from the high water mark. It was stove in on starboard side, and badly battered all over. The following telegram was received from the police at Beaconsfield: “Cannon and another left Beauty Point Sunday last, put in Port Sorell same night.”