COOK OF THE S.S. JOHN PENN DROWNED.

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 2

COOK OF THE S.S. JOHN PENN DROWNED.

The Grey River Argus of November 3rd, states :— " The" Westport Times regrets to state that a rumor of the drowning of H. Fry, formerly keeping an hotel in that town, proves to. be so well founded as to leave little doubt of its correctness. It appears that the unfortunate man ■was engaged as cook on board the John Perm, and was with her at Wanganui ion the 14th October. On that night between nine and ten o'clock, some 5 ladies who were walking on the poop heard a splash in the water on the other side of the vessel to that on which they were walking. They went across, and looking over saw something black in the water that they thought was a dogy but the night was dark, and they could not tell certainly what the object was. There wasno cry or apparent struggle, and they thought no more of it till next morning, when Fry was missing. Mr. G-illon, the purser, immediately communicated with the police, and. a thorough search of the town was made without finding any. trace of the missing man. On the teturn of the John Perm, though the most active exertions to seek him out had been made, their exertions were attended with no success, and there can be little doubt that the poor fellow is drowned." The idea of his having absconded is very improbable, as lie had no reason to do so, and on the contrary had left money and a gold watch ia the custody of Mr. Gillon." .....-..•■■

The body of the late cook of the 8.9. John Perm, has been found in the Wanganui river. An inquest was held on Nov. 2nd, when the jury's verdict was —"That the deceased Henry Fry was founl drowned, but how caused does not appear from the evidence."