A TRAGIC VOYAGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 7

A TRAGIC VOYAGE.

SUICIDES OX IiOARD THE GO'lHiC,

(FROM OUK OWN" COBHESrOXDENT.) LONDON, February 20. On the arrival of the Gothic at Plymouth the day before yesterday, the news leaked out that there had been some very extraordinary occurrences during her passage, and that two passengers had destroyed themselves tinder the influence of insanity, while a third had also become insane, the culminating tragedy being, averted, however, in 'his case. It appears that among the passengers in the third class was a man named Buckley, supposed to belong to Wellington, at any rate he joined the eteamer there. From the time the Gothic .left New Zealand he is said to have acted somewhat "strangely and to have been to solitary brooding habits. From wliat the officials of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company now say, it seems unfortunate thai lie was ever allowed to leave the colony, for it is evident that his mind must have been affected for a long while previous. Nothing particular was anticipated, however, nor was a close watch upon his movements •deemed necessary.

At about ten o'clock ono. evening, after Cape Horn had been passed, a fellow passenger heard strange noises in Buckley's cabin. He rushed in, and was instantly stricken with horror at the frightful spectacle which met hie eyes. Buckley was lying in a pool of blood, Ms body being mangled in a most horrible and ruvolting fashion, his throat being cut from ear to ear, and , his hand nearly severed from his aruis while he was ripped open witii such frightful thoroughness that his intestines were literally spread over the floor. Yet he actually still lived! The ship's surgeon was promptly in attendance, but no help was possible, and the unhappy man breathed his last in a few minutes. In the doctor's opinion Buckley first severed n.n artery in the wrist with the intention of bleeding to death, next cut his throat aa well, and, appai'ently, these wounds not proving immediately effective, he then, with the knife, dwombowelled himself. After due investigation the mangled remains were buried at sea.

This tragedy was soon followed by aiiother. Among the passengers was Mr A. Cooper, formerly chief officer of the Corinthic, whose health gave way on the outward voyage of that vessel. He was suffering from n«?rvoue breakdown, and wliile in New Zealand he was relieved of bia duties and sent Horn* by the Gothic. This naturally caused depression of spirits, which appears to have been Intensified by tlie suicide of Buckley. At any rate, on Monday last, when the ship was in the Bay of Biscay, he vac discovered in his cabin hanging by the neck and quite dead. His mind had evidently given way in consequence of the nervous shock which lie had sustained. Great sympathy is expressed for his friends and relatives. Mr Cooper having been a very popular officer. At> in the case of Buckley, an enquiry into the circuraetancee was made by the f&ptain and doctor, and Mr Cooper's body wan also buried at sea. In the case of attempted suicide the Gothic had made the British coast, and had just passed Lizard Point, when a paszieiiger suddenly rushed on deck, manifestly hi a state of extreme excitement. He carried with him a huge bumile, which evidently contained a!l his clothing that he was not actually wearing at the time, no substantial exception! Without eaying a word he dashed to the ship's sride, and with a supreme effort flung the bundle of clothes violently overboard. It was feared that he was about to follow, but after the experience of the two previous suicides the alarm was promptly taken, and a rush was mad-2 for the apparently demented man, who was at once eeiztd and secured before lie could carry out any more desperate designs. He was placed under the care of the stewards, who kept him under close observation until the arrival of the chip in dock