The Morgue was designed and completed before the Court. Before its construction, several structures on the site had to be demolished, these included the old Dead House, a caretakers cottage, and a set of stairs. Construction of the Coroners Court followed in 1907–08. In the process Bethel Street, was reduced to a narrow lane running along the wall of the Mariners' Church. Construction of the two buildings also involved the loss of a large tree which earlier photographs show next to the Sailor's Home. It may also have led to an interesting historical discovery. In 1920 Charles Bertie recorded that "some 30 years ago" a paving slab discovered in Bethel Street turned out to be the tombstone of a sailor on the "Sirius" of the First Fleet. The memorial was to George Groves, a boatswain's yeoman.
