BURIAL AT SEA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 211, 19 June 1933, Page 8

BURIAL AT SEA

CHIEF ENGINEER OF SURREY.

(Special to the " Guardian.") AUCKLAND, June 15. Wrapped in the Red Ensign, the body of Mr George Blakelock, chief engineer of the Federal steamer Surrey, was buried at sea on June 10. Mr Blakelock, who was 55 years of age., had been in indifferent health for some time, and after the Surrey had passed through the Panama canal on her present voyage his condition began to give grave concern, In the middle of last week he became suddenly worse, and was confined to his bunk. It was thought that if Mr Blakelock could be kept alive until Auckland was reached his life might be saved, but the Surrey was already steaming at full speed.

In the absence of a medical man on board the Surrey, the New Zealand Shipping Company's Rotorua was communicated with by wireless and medical advice was obtained from her doctor. As Mr Blakelock was suffering from heart trouble, however, little could be done for him, and he died on June 10. The captain 4£nd chief steward were in his cabin at the time of his death. Mr Blakelock had been on the Surrey since she left the stocks at NeW-castle-on-Tyne in 1919, and was wellknown at New Zealand and Australian ports. He joined the ship as second engineer and served for a time as chief refrigerating engineer before his promotion to chief engineer 12 years ago. He was unmarriedj and his home Avas at Sunderland.