LOST OVERBOARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 8

LOST OVERBOARD

TRAGEDY IN STRAIT MR. J. S. MCLEOD’S FATE PROMINENT SPORTSMAN LONG SEARCH FRUITLESS (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. James Sterling McLeod, Market street, Hastings, aged 70, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, owner of the galloper, Yours Truly, which won the last New Zealand Cup at Riccarton, was drowned last night when he fell overboard from the inter-island steamer Wahine in Cook Strait. The vessel was travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton. A search lasting an hour and 20 minutes was made by the ship and the lifeboat crew, but the body was not recovered. Two lifebuoys were immediately released from the bridge and an emergency lifeboat was quickly lowered into the heavy swell that was running. The Wahine, under command of Captain Whitefield, put about and the search was continued until 10.5 p.m., when the Wahine continued her passage to Lyttelton. ‘ Mr. McLeod is reported to have been suffering from ill-health and was proceeding to Hanmer Springs for a rest cure. He occupied a deck cabin and was accompanied by Mr. Arthur Hay, Eketahuna. Mr. McLeod left his cabin and was followed by Mr. Hay, who found him leaning over the ship’s rail. Mr. Hay rushed to him and got hold of one of his legs but Mr. McLeod was a heavy man and Mr. Hay could not retain his hold.