Stephen Mellish

Stephen Mellish died after his friend assaulted him after they drunk over proof rum on a vessel in Glasgow harbour on 10 May 1917.

His friend was tried for his murder but the charge was reduced to simple assault on account that he did not remember anything because he was drunk.

They were both naval seamen and had been the best of friends. However, on 10 May 1917 they managed to secure a large bowl of ship's rum that was 62½% over proof.

They consumed a quantity of it, and owing to its powerful character Stephen Mellish was quickly overcome and was lifted into his bunk, his friend assisting him.

However, his friend subsequently assaulted him, but because he had been so much under the influence of the rum, he didn't remember anything.

At that stage in the evidence at the Glasgow High Court on Tuesday 26 June 1917 the murder charge was reduced to one of simple assault to which the friend pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.