Suicide from a Sydney Steamer. Full Particulars of the Tragedy. Wellington, September 1.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 168, 4 September 1886, Page 1

Suicide from a Sydney Steamer. Full Particulars of the Tragedy. Wellington, September 1.

A Wellington gentleman, who was la passenger to Sydney by the s.b. Wakatipu last trip, write! "to the " Poat " as follows :— "I have to chronicle a most painful event that 'occurred on board the Wakatipu on the . last trip from Wellington ta Sydney, resulting in the, death of one of the principals in the , recent , Messenger. (Christchurch) case. On Tuesday evening, 17th, while the vessel; was labouring jto a heavy head aea, a little girl reported that she had seen a young, woman mount, the rail at the end of the steamer and . disappear, She had previously been sitting at the lee side, where she divested herself of a fur-lined cloak. Shethenwentbelow, but returned in a short time.and came round on the weather side aft. After, standing by the wheel a few minutes,, as if in hesitation, giving a look first to one side of the vessel and then to the other, she mounted the grating, holding by the wheel, on which sbe hung her bag, then sunk on her knees for a few seconds, rose, gave one look about her, stepped on to the rail, and so into the sea A life-buoy with patent light apparatus was thrown over and the starboard lifeboat, in charge of the sec®nd mate, put off, but no trace of the unfortunate woman could be recovered. The night was co rough, however, that not only the flaming life buoy, but even the boat with its light, could but occasionally be seen as they rode on the crest of a wave, and after a | time the men, somewhat disheartened, were reluctantly compelled to abandon their f ruithss search. Those who know the Wakatipu will remember the forecastle. Well, to show the violence of the waves breaking over the vessel, this massive timber, about 20ft x 2ft 6in x sin, was shifted by a sea breaking on board that eventful night, and had to be refitted. I mention this to prove that the manning and launching of a boat in auch weather was anything but child's play. It appears that the unfortunate girl (for she was but some 19 years of age) was formerly a Miss Boor, and was afterwards married to a man named McAlpine, who died from injuries received from a fall from his horse, and the widow subsequently figured in a reoent Christchurch elopement case, in which a hotel proprietor named Messenger was the prime mover. The deceased shipped per Rotorua at Lyttelton for Sydney as a second-class passenger, giving the name of Mrs Oaborne— waiting at Wellington for tha Wakatipu. She appeared anxious to avoid being seen, and in reply to a passenger from Christchurch who knew her denied tbat her name was McAlpine, but Oebome. This was thought to be more an expression of what she wished to be called than a mistake or a desire to avoid recognition. She wore a veil double over her face, but more as protection from the weather, it was thought, than otherwise. Deceased took stimulants of a" data intended probably to act medicinally ; not an uncommon thing, considering her previous occupation, but there is no reason to believe immoderately. Her manner on board was a little strange, but not of a character to excite any suspicion as to her mental condition, other than that Captain Wheeler had decided to berth her separately at night, as she appeared cold, and could not rest after dark, being a source of annoyance to some females on board. On the evening mentioned, just at dark, and while the saloon passengers were at dinner, there waaacry of "Man overboard, and it at once Hashed across the mind of Captain Wheeler that it was this young woman. One spring, -and the captain was on_ deck ; another, and he was on the bridge, and in a few minutes the life-boat was over, only to return disappointed, after a most laborious search on the part of the brave fellows. It is a pity that some of the female passengers did not make known their fears or suspicions in a more decided manner, in which case the usual precautionary measures would have been adopted, and stepa taken, to prevent any attempt on her own life. Those who saw the girl (for they still call her so) the two daya previous to her death speak of a certain air of despondency and unsettled determination that seemed to possess her, and' there is no doubt from the manner in which her effects were packed up— rings taken off and letters destroyed— that the dreadful act which terminated the career of the pretty but ill fated Amy McAlpine, nee Boor^was quite premeditated, but whether superinduced by causes other than those indicated herein it is not necessary to inquire, They were certainly sufficient to account for mental aberration, indeed the very act which finally culminated in so sad an end was unquestionably proved insanity." - , . , , The Mr Messenger referred to will' be remembered by many as having formerly been in business in Auckland. ' ;