FATAL AFFRAY AT BELFAST DOCKS Inquest on the Victim.

Disgrifiad

Dyddiad: 06 July 1917.

Adysgrif:

FATAL AFFRAY AT BELFAST DOCKS

Inquest on the Victim.

The City Coroner (Dr. James Graham), held an inquest yesterday in the Royal Victoria Hospital into the circumstances connected with the affray amongst seamen which took place at the Musgrave Channel on 3rd inst. by which Robt. Scaraborough, a fireman on the s.s. Earl of Elgin, was killed. Deceased was said to be a native of Glasgow, and when not employed as a marine fireman lived in Whitechapel, London. District-Inspector Harrison, and Head-Constable Hayes represented the police, and Mr. T. A. M’Larnon watched the proceedings on behalf of the three Japanese who are in custody on the capital charge. The names and rating of the accused, who are members of the crew of the same steamer, are—Matsuzo Kawaba, aged 25 years, fireman; Masaham Kurata. aged 26 years, greaser; and Masataka Yasuji, aged 30 years, cook.

Frederick Watkins, chief officer of the s.s. Earl of Elgin, described the affray, and said he saw Kawaba strike deceased several times with a knife. The Japanese then went to the quayside and dropped the knife into the sea. Witness apprehended Kawaba. and handed him over to the third officer to be detained. The officer said he did not see Kurato do anything. Yasuji at first caught Scaraborough by the hand and gave it a violent twist. Scaraborough fell the ground, and it was as he was falling that Kawaba stabbed him. The jury found that deceased died from haemorrhage following an incised wound wilfully inflicted by Kawaba.

Ffynhonnell: "FATAL AFFRAY AT BELFAST DOCKS Inquest on the Victim." Belfast NewsLetter. 06 July. 1917. 3.

• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000038/19170706/058/0003 (link opens in new window)