SEA TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 29

SEA TRAGEDY

LOVER’S DEATH PACT. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 18. A pathetic love tragedy, which occurred in the Indian Ocean, has been disclosed by the arrival at Adelaide of a German sailing vessel. The captain of the ship during the war was attached to the German naval headquarters. He had his wife and family on board, and the second officer and one of the daughters became attached. The young man informed the father and asked for his consent, which was refused. It is understood that the captain, angry tile complications which had arisen, showed some harshness, and to all appearances the couple entered into a death pact. When halfway between Australia and the last port of call of the vessel they jumped overboard while the ship was bowling along at about 10 knots with a good sea running. A boat was lowered, but night was approaching, and difficulty was experienced in finding them. The mate was recovered, hut nothing could be seen of the girl, who evidently found a watery grave. The mate was for some time in a very serious condition. After arriving at Adelaide some of ihe crew went to the police, and complained of the behaviour of the captain towards them since his trouble. The trouble in the first place is that they are prohibited immigrants, and there is no German consul in South Australia who could act on their behalf.