Reporting Death At Sea ?

[Geoff Wycherley]

I have a William Moss Dunstone who was a mariner sailing from the port of Charlestown,Cornwall. The 1881 census only shows his wife and children so I am assuming he was at that time at sea.
Between that census and 1888 he died, for in the March quarter of 1889 his wife remarries. I have searched what records I have available to see if his death was registered but I cannot find it, so I am again assuming he lost his life at sea, so my question is, if a ship was lost at sea and all life on board with it would the owner of the vessel be responsible for registering the deaths when it came to his knowledge or could the incident not be reported, and in the terms of re-marriage could a spouse after so much time declare her husband as dead as she had seen him for some years.
Any help or advise would be appreciated

[olliecat]

I have a William Moss Dunstone who was a mariner sailing from the port of Charlestown,Cornwall. The 1881 census only shows his wife and children so I am assuming he was at that time at sea.
Between that census and 1888 he died, for in the March quarter of 1889 his wife remarries.

Is this your chap?

Death
DUNSTON, William Moss
Vessel : Lizzie Trembert
Year: 1885
Page: 156
Age: 43

(GRO Marine Death Indices 1846 to 1902)

If it is, once you obtain a copy - come back and tell us who reported it.

[Geoff Wycherley]

Thank you very much olliecat

It certainly looks like my man, there are not many with that name.

I will be sending for the certificate and as soon as I receive it I will let you know who the informant was.

Thanks once again
Geoff W