A MAN OVERBOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2224, 23 June 1908, Page 2

A MAN OVERBOARD.

SAILOR LOST OFF FISHING SMACK. CAPLAIN MUST’S PRIVATIONS. Yesterday morning information was received in Gisborne that a man named William Christie had been drowned at Matlknoa on Wednesday night last. ' . Inquiries were at once instituted by a “Times” reporter, and 'the circumstances surrounding the man's death were gathered with some difficulty. It appears that about a month ago Christie, who had recently received a sum of money from Home, left for Auckland to inspect a fishing boat, tbo “J” No. 20, Auckland, of three tone register, with a. view of purchasing her, liis intention being to ultimately engage jn the fishing industry All Gisborne. He took with him Captain Must, a well-known Gisborne mariner, who, being a certificated officer, was to take charge of the tiny craft and bring her to Gisborne. On Friday, the 12th inst., the purchase of the vessel hiving been completed, Christie and Captain; Must left Auckland in the “J” for this port, and by Tuesday had arrived off Waipiro 'Bay. A heavy southerly gale was met there, and the smack was driven hack to Mutakaoa, which was reached on Wednesday night. At 1 p.m. that evening Captain Must went below to his hunk, leaving Christie on watch. On arising at midnight, the captain missed his companion, and a search over the vessel ■Ailing to reveal liis presence, the captain was teheed to the conclusion that Christie must have, fallen overhoard and been drowned. Captain .Must thereupon decided to remain in the vicinity of Matakaoa for some time in an endeavor to discover traces of the misting mm, and did so for two days. ‘During this period lie suffered from an intense thirst, for Christie, in his madness, before leaving tlie craft, had extracted the plug from the water tank, and there was consequently, no fresh water on hoard. Being unable, to find the body, the captain then, brought the “J” to Te Araroa, and landed at A waters* Creek on Sunday. Noticing the vessel and the landing of the captain, several people went to meet him. Ho was in a plainly exhausted state, the anxiety of navigating his craft and the niiii of mind at losing his companion having told on him. He was also fering severely fr'uni thirst, having been three days without a drink, and his throat, mouth, and tongue were parched and swollen. As the people hastened to meet him lie staggered forward gasping, “‘A drink of water, ■a drink of water.” When he had sufficiently recovered to speak, Captain Must related what had occurred, and. word was immediately despatched to Sergeant Hutton, at Gisborne, who at once instructed Constable Wales to proceed to Te Araroa to institute further inquiries. . It. is stated that Christie had Been drinking heavily for five days previous to leaving Auckland, and that, although there was no drink aboard 1 , he was at the time of his disappearance in a state bordering on delirium tremens. He lmd, during the afternoon, been acting in a strange manner, and ever and anon would stop and address imaginary forms in the water, remarking, “I’m coining; I’m coming soda.” It is surmised, therefore, that his mental aberration finally ciuei'd him to throw himself into tlio sea. Little has been ascertained about Christie except that for some time previous to going to Auckland ho had been residing in Gisborne. His ago is uncertain, but he is supposed to be over fifty vears. ■