Hello all, I'm wondering if anyone is able to tell me where I might be able to find a record of deaths by drowning in Macquarie Harbour on 4 - 5 May 1878. No records for Strahan exist at this time as far as I am aware. I would have thought by 1878 it would be required for them to be registered somewhere though. The story was written up in various newspapers at the time, as one of the party, E Richall Richardson, was a noteworthy figure. They also featured in accounts of the West Coast that appeared years later for example, Zeehan and Dundas Herald (Hobart, Tas. : 1890 - 1922), Thursday 2 February 1893, page 4, but I have not been able to find any official records of the deaths. Four men were drowned, including my great grandmother's brother, John O'Donnell, aged 20. The other victims were E Richall Richardson, John McAuliffe and Miles Ashmore. The only survivor was Arthur Lloyd. I would be very grateful for any suggestions/information. Kind regards Heather Minol Canberra

Hi Heather - I could not find a record of an inquest. Were the bodies recovered? I have often found that when an inquest was held the death was not always registered. If the bodies were not recovered then there was probably no inquest? Cheers Sally >