LOST AT SEA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12896, 30 August 1907, Page 5

LOST AT SEA.

THE DEATH OF MR T. W. HOOD. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, August 29. • Particulars of the . circumstances under which Mr Thomos \V. It. Hood, chief officer of the Union Company's steamer Kaituna, was washed overboard hare been received locally. It appears that at the time of the occurrence the vessel was about half-way between Newcastle end the Bluff. A terrific sea had been running all last Thursdny. Just about dusk Mr Hood, who wae wearing oilskins'and gum boots, was descending one of the forward ladders from the bridge deck, when a heavy sea broke on board, and 3wept him away. He was not eeen again, and the probability is that, heavily encumbered ns he was, he sank at once. Captain Evans had the steamer put round immediately. Life buoys were thrown, nnd the vessel cruised about the spot for a time, but the gathering darkness and the state of the sea made the senrch almost hopeless from the beginning.

Mr Hood was one of the best-known officers in the Union Company's service. Ho was born in Melbourne in 1867, and is understood to havo been a nephew of the late Mr Justice Hood, of Victoria. He accompanied his parents to New Zealand in his childhood, and was educated at the East Christchnrcn School and the Marist Brothers' School, Boulcott street, Wellington. Mr Hood first \rr-nt to sea in 188-1. when ho joined the New Zealand Snipping Company's sailing ship Wairoa, which traded between London nnd New Zealand. After serving his apprenticeship in that company's sailing vessels, Mr Hood joined the Glen Line of steamers, trnding to China. About eleven years sro ho entered the Union Company's service.