Sorrento John Doe was a man whose body was found floating off of Back Beach, Sorrento.
Case[]
On 15 May 1891, at about 8 AM, the body of a man was found floating off Back Beach in Sorrento, near some caves at the bottom of a cliff. This was about 200 yards from the wreck of the Cragieburn, which was wrecked in rough weather on 8 May 1891. The body was naked except for a sock and the remains of a shirt. It was also noted that he had no hair on his head or any part of his body when found.
The body was recovered and brought to shore, but due to its condition, it was unable to be identified. Despite an initial police investigation, a coroner's inquest held in Sorrento on 15 May 1891 could not identify the deceased other than that he was a sailor from the "Craigieburn." Follow-up inquiries by police in June 1897 did not provide any further information.
Six men were drowned in the wreck. Only one other body was recovered and identified.
Characteristics[]
- Advanced age range.
Clothing and accessories[]
- One merino sock.
- Wristband of a Crimean shirt.