Benedict, Claude H. (Bennie)
[SS "Koombana": list of crew as per copy of Articles at shipping office, Fremantle, Adelaide Steamship Company, April 1912. provided to the author by Jean Northover, City Beach, Western Australia]
THE CREW AGE BIRTHPLACE
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C.H. Benedict, first grade steward 23 Bournemouth
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["Story of the Koombana", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 31 March 1912, page 12]
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P. Farrance, A. Deeham, C. H. Benedict, Edward Wardlaw, J. Hughes, J. Blades, A. Salkild, S. W. Reynolds, F. J. Winpenny, Wm. Dick, James Crosbie, Wm. Cant, R. Davies, W. Burkin, H. Smith and P. Finnerty, stewards.
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["Officers and Crew", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 31 March 1912, page 1]
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Several stewards, whose names appear on the articles of the Koombana, may not have joined the vessel. Captain Smith, the Port shipping master, asks that in this event the men who did not go should notify him.
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["The Crew", The West Australian, Wednesday 03 April 1912, page 7]
The following is the complete crew which left with the vessel, according to the records in the Adelaide Co.'s office:--
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P. Farrance, A. Deerham, C. H. Benedicte, E. Wardlaw, J. Hughes, J. Blades, A. Salkild, S. W. Reynolds, F. J. Winpenny, Wm. Dick, James Crosbie, Wm. Cant, R. Davis, W. Burkin, H. Smith, and P. Finnerty, stewards.
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["The Koombana", The West Australian, Friday 12 April 1912, page 7]
OFFICIAL LIST OF CREW
The following official list of the names of the crew who signed on the s.s. Koombana's articles and who were supposed to have gone in the vessel is supplied by the Shipping Master of Fremantle (Captain T. W. Smith). The age, birthplace, and capacity of each member is given:--
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C. H. Benedicte, 26, Bournemouth, assistant steward;
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[Agreement and Account of Crew, s.s. Koombana, August 1911 - March 1912, Harbour and Lights Department, Western Australia. State Records Office of Western Australia, Consignment 1056 Item 301]
The register indicates that Benedicte transferred to Koombana from Moonta in 1911.
["A Pair of Trousers", Daily News (Perth, WA), Thursday 04 January 1912, page 3]
A PAIR OF TROUSERS
STOLEN FROM A STEWARD.
In the Fremantle Police Court this morning, before Messrs E. P. Dowley, R.M., and T. Smith, J.P., William Murphy, a fireman, was charged with having, on January 3, stolen a pair of trousers valued at 27s. 6d., the property of Claude H. Benedict, and further, that he did receive the same, well knowing them to have been stolen.
Accused pleaded guilty.
Sergt. Simpson said that the facts of the case were that yesterday morning the accused boarded the s.s. Koombana, and shortly after the complainant, who was a steward on the ship, missed a pair of trousers. Subsequently the accused was arrested wearing the trousers.
The accused said that he was sorry for having committed the theft, and that he had never been in trouble before.
A fine of £1 and costs was imposed.
AB notes:
full name given here: Claude H. Benedict
It appears that William Murphy was sacked after pinching Bennie's pants.
["In Memoriam", The West Australian, Thursday 20 March 1913, page 1]
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BENEDICT.-In memory of my dear friend, C. H. (Bennie) Benedict, who lost his life on s.s. Koombana, on March 20, 1912.
-Inserted by a friend, Jack Cunningham.
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