Telegrams
Lyttelton, Dec. 23. 8 p.m. The Alert, ketch, arrived from Picton. Mr Flett, the master, has been drowned. The mate reports at six on Monday night, the vessel was ten miles from the Heads — the man below, and the captain in charge of the wheel. On coming on deck they could see nothing of the captain. No splash or cry was heard. It is supposed that he fell overboard. Great regret in expressed, as the captain is well known and respected by all here. -Press, 24/12/1873.
Up to the present time nothing has been heard of Captain William Flett, of the schooner Alert, whose somewhat mysterious disappearance was reported in our telegrams from Lyttelton on Wednesday week. From all accounts the deceased must have met his death accidentally. There was no one on deck at the time deceased was at the wheel, and the other hands were employed below, and it was only when the vessel, which had been running free, came up in the wind, and the man came up to see the cause, that the loss of the captain was discovered. No trace could be seen of him, no cry or splash was heard by those engaged below. The news of his unfortunate decease caused quite a gloom amongst the captains of the various crafts in harbor, Captain Flett having most deservedly obtained the esteem of all with whom he was connected. — LytteltonTimes. -Grey River Argus, 10/1/1874.
I have been unable to find any account of the finding or burial of the body of William Flett.
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