LOST OF THE STAFFA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9014, 29 March 1888, Page 5

LOST OF THE STAFFA.

A MAN WASHED OVERBOARD. From Captain Robertson, the master of the p. 9. Staffa, who arrived from Helensville last evening by train, we learn that the gteamer crossed the Hokianga bar at halfpast eight on Tuesday morning. Towards evening the wind increased to a severe gale, with a very heavy sea. At half-past twelve p.m., when abreast of Kaipara, Malcolm McClellan, an engineer who was on his way to join the company's steamer Tarn O'Shanter, and who was engaged in assisting the working of the ship, was washed overboard. It appears that at the time MeClellan, feeling unwell, was- leaning over the rail, when the steamer gave a heavy lurch and shipped considerable water, and this sea must have swept him overboard. He was heard to cry out when overboard, and life buoys were thrown over, and the steamer with all possible speed brought round on the other tack, but although she cruised around the spot for an hour, and lay-to there till daylight, no trace of the missing; man could be discovered. The sea at the time was so very heavy that it was utterly impossible to lower one of the ship's boats to attempt to rescue the unfortunate man. The Statin at daylight ran into the Kaipara for shelter, and will remain there till the weather moderates. McClellan resided at Hokianga, and leaves a widow and live children to mourn the loss of their breadwinner.