A MYSTERY OF THE SEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 4

A MYSTERY OF THE SEA

BODY FLOATING IN COOK STRAIT. SEEN FROM SCOW ECHO. A mystery of the sea, and one that probably will never be solved, was reported to the Wellington police yesterday by Captain Vcndore, of the scow Echo,'which arrived from Karamca, and is discharging timber at the Clyde quay wharf. Captain Vendore informed Constable McKelvie shortly after his arrival that about 4 p.m. on the previous day, when about half a mile south-west of Sinclair Head, and a mile off the shore, he saw tho body of a man floating in the water. Tho body had on a long black oilskin, which was tied round the wakt with a rope, and a dark slouch hat pulled well down on tho head. It was floating face downward, and appeared to bo that of a 13st or List man. It was also seen by the cook, William Dobson, who was carrying a billy, and he got such a shock that be dropped the utensil into the water. Tho captain further stated that hci had no chance of picking up ,the body, as it was blowing very hard at the time, and there was a rough sea. and if he had put his ship about the sails would have been blown out of the bolt ropes. This cannot be the body of A ictof King, who was drowned in Evans Hay on Saturday last, as at tho time of his death he was wearing a yellow oilskin suit, whereas the body seen_ from tho Echo had a black oilskin on it.