(Part 2)
(Death at Whitehaven harbour)

These stages were put on the quay, may be a couple of feet projecting over
the side of the quay. This was to assist the short derrick.
NORWOOD was standing on the left-hand side of the projecting part of the
staging when he was knocked over.  The staging did not move in any way and
was quite intact and after NORWOOD fell.  They had unloaded once before from
Harrington when the boat was lying in the mud. That was last winter and the
arrangements were exactly the same as on this occasion. They seldom
discharge small vessels in this way.
Was there any particular reason for not waiting for the tide before
discharging the boat? - Well is was a matter of getting the grain out in the
day light when it was safer to work. If they had waited for the tide they
could not have commenced unloading until about nine o'clock that (Tuesday)
evening. There was only 14 tons in her and it would have probably have taken
an hour and a half. It would have been a big improvement if the tide had
been as they would have had more use of the derrick.  Some times they delay
discharging so as to get the tide.
 Who determines whether you delay or not? - We generally get word from the
office. I generally used  my own judgment, and if we can't do it in time we
wait for the tide as a rule.
Supposing the discretion lay with you, what would you do? - Well in this
case now it would be a question of waiting until she was afloat.
After this accident, you would do that in any future case? - Yes certainly.
By the foreman: The bag canted when the swing was given.
Witness; in reply to the coroner, said he had acted as stevedore for Messrs
PATTINSON for nine years, and had never had an accident of any consequence
before.  He was on the staging and if there was any risk the incurred that
risk the same as others.
Andrew HOY sailor on the s. s. Harrington, said he was driving the winch on
the vessel, and saw the bag cant over.  He consided there was a risk in
doing the work because of the staging in the first place was not broad
enough.  He did not pass any remark about if at the time.  He saw NORWOOD
strike the ship as he fell.
By the inspector; The width of the staging would be about 3½ or 4 ft. Four
sacks had to be landed, and there were two men on the staging.  He did not
hear anyone complain about the width of the staging.
The witness FARRER, recalled, said it was not correct to say it was only
four feet wide.  He should think it would be from seven to eight feet wide.
They had landed thousands of bags of grain on the same staging-five bags at
a time.  He thought the staging was sufficient for the purpose.


To be continued