Captain Trayte Drowned at Manahiki.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 218, 16 September 1886, Page 3

Captain Trayte Drowned at Manahiki.

A fekhno of profound rogrot porvadod shipping circles to-day when it became known that Captain Trayte, who left thiß pert sorao months since in charge of the schoonor Sybil, had been accidentally drowned whilst tho ves3 1 was lying at anchor at Manahiki. Tho Sybil returned to this port at noon to-day, having left Karotonga on August Ist, and cxperieucod vory stormy weather during tho voyage up. Sho anchored off the Bastion owing to strong contrary winds prevailing, but will probably come up harbour this eveninc. Tho SyUil in in charge of Mr Colo, formerly mate of tho vessel, and from etatomenta made by him and othors of tho crew we are placed in possession of particular-3 of the lamentable fatality that so unexpectedly terminated tho career of ono of tho most pushing and onergotic island traders that have ever sailed out of this port. It appears that about the end of July the Sybil was lying at anchor at Manahiki, and just on the point of sailing. Captain Trayto was lying on the deck, reeting, when ho suddenly turned over and rolled between tho railing which runs round the after end of tho schooner and tho deck, and fell into tho water. The accident was observed by ono of the craw, who waa standing by tho wheel, and he gave tho alarm promptly. Captain Trayte's body could be seen in the water almost motionless, and a Kanaka jumped overboard to his assistance witlaout delay. He soized the captain and held bis head above water until a boat was lowered, when both men were taken on board the schooner. Captain Trayte was found to be in a vory exhaueted state. Restoratives were applied, but all efforts to restore animation proved fruitless, and the hopeless task had reluctantly to be abandoned. Captain Trayto'a body was subsequently interred at the island. It is believed that when tho deceased fell overboard ho was suffering from an attack of asthma, from which he had previously been suffering considerably, and that in consequence, he was unable to exert efforts which ho could otherwise have put forth towards saviDg bis own lifo. Captain Trayto was ono of tho oldest of tho island traders sailing out of Auckland, having had command of various vessels during the past twenty years or bo. His vessels were remarkable for the trim, yacht-like appearance in which they always entered the port, no matter how long the cruise may have been, aud we repeatedly had occasion to draw attention to this circumstance. Captain Trayto was a very popular skippar, and a smart business man. In his early ventures in Auckland craft, he was fairly successful, and in course of his cruises to various of the South Sea Islands he acquired considerable interest in the shapo of plantations. More recently, however, fortune did not smile upon his labours by any means, and he lost a good deal both in the Coral Queen and the Pirate, which were wrecked whilst under his charge. His untimely end will cauae widespread regret, especially amongst his numerous friends attached to tho shipping of this port.