ACCIDENTS & DEATHS
DIED AT SEA.
Captain MacBryde of the schooner Jessie Niccoll, which has just returned from the MacQuarrie Islands, has reported to the Customs that Lieut. M. Dutton, R.N.R., second officer off the schooner, died on 22nd March, on the way up from the islands, and was buried at sea. Lieut. Dutton, while trading to Manila during the war, contracted malarial fever, and was ordered by his doctor to seek a colder climate. It was largely for this reason that he came south and joined the Jessie Niccoll on her outward trip about eight weeks ago, and it is assumed that it was a return of the fever that caused his death. Lieut. Dutton, who was a son of the Rev. D. Dutton, of Caversham, Dunedin, was only 29 years old, but possessed an extra master’s certificate besides his lieutenancy in the Royal Naval Reserve, and had had much and successful seafaring experience. A Departmental enquiry will be held by the Custom’s Department as soon as the Jessie Niccoll berths at the wharf. -Southland Times, 2/4/1909.
SAD SEAFARING INCIDENT.
BURIAL AT SEA.
Particulars of the death of Mr Dutton at sea on the trip of the topsail schooner Jessie Niccol from Macquarie Islands have been communicated to us. They are (writes our Bluff correspondent) very saddening. As a navy cadet he had seen a good deal of life in South American States. Being of lively temperament, he may have entered upon its pursuits with a vigor born of thoughtlessness. The result was that he contracted malarial diseases, and their tendencies never quite left him. From about the time of his joining the schooner on her outward trip it was recognised that he was incapacitated for active service. During the time they lay at the island he was confined to bed, and it was noticed illusions, incidental to the malady, took possession of his mind. A sharp outlook was kept, and every effort made, compatible with the circumstances, for his safety and comfort. These kindly offices appeared to be attended with success, and the young man's condition seemed to improve. The morning of the fourth day out on the return passage, seemingly still improving, he got one of the boat hands to fill up and hand him his pipe. The latter left him in his bunk smoking. Returning a few minutes later, a change for the worst was noticed to have overtaken the patient. The skipper was at once informed, and prompt measures taken to ascertain the actual state of the case. These showed only too plainly that death had supervened. At this time the schooner was running through a bad-weather spell, and they had no immediate prospect of making the land. It was aecordingly resolved to bury the body at sea, which task was duly performed early next morning, in a gale of wind completely enveloping the schooner in hurricane seas. On arrxval at New River Heads deceased's parents were promptly communicated with. Next day his father, who is a Presbyterian clergyman at Caversham, arrived. On the facts being communicated the rev. gentleman readily concurred in the opinion that everything possible was done under the circumstances. -Otago Witness, 28/4/1909.
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