SAD SUICIDE ON BOARD A MAIL LINER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1726, 19 April 1888, Page 4

SAD SUICIDE ON BOARD A MAIL LINER.

A distressing case of suicide on board the Queensland Boyal Mail Company's steamship Dacca, Captain J. S. Stone, was reported on tho arrival of the ship at Plymouth on February 23rd, Mrs Spencer Brown, the daughter of the llev J. Sutton, Church of England minister at Brisbane, embarked on board the Dacca at Brisbane with her husband, who is attached to the Brisbane Courier, for England. AtfirstMrs Brown appeared in excellent spirits, and, being very accomplished, delighted her fellowpassengers with her excellent playing on the piano and charming singing The steamer having called at the Queensland ports, Mrs Brown beeamo very much depressed. No reason was assigned for this sudden change in her manner, and she was put under the care of the surgeon of the ship. On January 15th, when the vessel was a day out from Batavia, Captain Stone conversed with Mrs Brown on deck, and observed that she was very lowspirited. Captain Stone spoke a few encouraging words to her, and the only thing Mrs Brown said was that she was not feeling very well. Mrs Brown then retired to her cabin, and this was the last seen or heard of her. Twenty minutes later the stewardess went to Mrs Brown’s cabin, and not obtaining any answer to her demand for admittance, entered the cabin, ■which, to her surprise, was empty. The port, which had been previously closed, was open, and Mrs Brown’s bonnet and cloak were on the couch. As soon as Mrs Brown was reported missing, every search was made throughout the ship, which was stopped, but no trace could be found of her, There is no doubt whatever that the unhappy lady committed suicide by jumping overboard through the cabin port. The event cast quite a gloom over the ship, Mrs Brown being liked by all on board. She was only twenty-five years of age, ladylike, and or prepossessing appearance. Mr Brown, who was much affected by his wife’s death, embarked on board the British India Company’s Aim ora for England on tho arrival of the ship at Colombo.