Thursday 9 May 2024

Daniel McLeod, (1837-24/11/1867). "all but saved"


 LOSS OF LIFE, AND WRECK, AT OAMARU. 

(FROM THE "OTAGO DAILY TIMES," NOVEMBER 26.)

The S.E. gale on Saturday night and Sunday seems to hare raised a tremendous sea along the easterly coast of Otago. At Oamaru, as we hear, the sea was heavier on Sunday than it had before been witnessed by any of the settlers; and it certainly resulted in two melancholy accidents. Mr. Daniel McLeod was washed off the jetty, and was drowned and the schooner Carolina had to be beached, in order that Captain Williams and the crew might hare a chance of saving their lives.  -Daily Southern Cross, 5/12/1867.


About two o'clock, the rain ceased, and there was a glimpse of sunshine; the result being that a good many persons were attracted to the jetty, or its neighbourhood, in order to watch the sea, and the way in which the Caroline was behaving in it. Amongst those who went Mr. McLeod, and a young man named Mackay, one of his brothers-in-law. The two went out on the jetty, to very nearly its elbow-portion — or at least to the end of the railing, which is not continued along the elbow, as a fence of any kind there would be in the way of vessels loading, or unloading. While standing on the inner side of the jetty, at the point mentioned, and close to the railing, a lumpy sea struck the jetty, and broke over it sufficiently to wash away Mr. McLeod, who was drowned. Mr. Mackay had a narrow escape of being swept over with Mr. McLeod, but was able to cling to the rail, and to save himself. Another person was, we are told, all but washed off the jetty during Sunday forenoon; his life being saved through the cape which he wore being seized by Mr. Payne, of the Northern Hotel.  -NZ Herald, 6/12/1867.


We are desirous of calling public attention to the fact that a subscription has been opened for the widow and orphans of the late Mr Daniel McLeod. About L60 has been already promised. Persons desirous of adding their mite are referred to Mr Luke, who will be glad to receive their names.

We believe that an amateur performance is on the "tapis" for the benefit of the widow and orphans of the late Mr Daniel McLeod, who was drowned from the jetty on Sunday last. A special meeting of the Oamaru Garrick Club is called with this object, this day, at 8 p.m., at the Star and Garter Hotel.  -North Otago Times, 26/11/1867.


A shocking and melancholy accident occurred through the washing of the sea over the Oamaru jetty. Mr Daniel McLeod, Mr McKay, his father in-law, and several others were on the jetty on Sunday afternoon at three o'clock, when a sea struck them and washed Mr McLeod away. He was a good swimmer and though encumbered with a poncho soon reached a manuka fender pile. He got half way up the pile, but was washed off. A rope was then flung to him, but the force of the sea, and his now exhausted strength made him relax his hold. Several times wo are told he was "all but saved," but was again washed away. He was a last time washed from his hold of the pile, and sunk within view of the spectators. Deceased was formerly in the employ of Messrs Russell and Co., and was well known in Timaru.  -Timaru Herald, 30/11/1867.


The remains of the late Mr Daniel McLeod were interred in the cemetery on Saturday last. The funeral was attended by nearly 150 persons including the Brethren of the Waitaki Lodge of Freemasons; and a large number of citizens anxious to par the last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. The funeral ceremony was performed by the Rev. Charles Connor. Many of the business establishments in the town were closed during the time of the funeral, and gloom seemed to overshadow the whole community. 

In our notice of the last meeting of the Committee of the Garrick Club, we omitted to mention that Mr Earl, violinist, kindly tendered his services, in the event of a performance being given by the Club for the McLeod fund. 

In consequence of the circumstances of his decease being so well known, no inquest was hold upon the body of the late Mr Daniel McLeod.   -North Otago Times, 3/12/1867.


Oamaru Cemetery.

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