FATALITY AT TOKOMARU.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1043, 10 November 1903, Page 2

FATALITY AT TOKOMARU.

.CHIEF STEWARD OF STEAMER

HERALD DROWNED

r A' shocking fatality occurred at Tokomaru Bay shortly before noon ou Sunday. The Herald had arrived in the bay from Gisborne, and the chief steward (Mr J. R. Abraham) and the second engineer arranged to go for a swim;: The chief steward was ready first to go into the water, and jumped in from a ladder at the ship’s side. In the short time that elapsed be.orc the second engineer would be ready to jump in, it was noted on board that the chief steward was

very quiet in the water, there being nene of the usual gleeful sounds on a swimmer getting the opportunity to disport in the water. Some one looking over the side, saw the chief steward with his arms up, and almost instantly he sank. * An alarm was at once given, and every effort was made, but nothing further could be seen of the body. Dragging operations were kept up until dark, but without success. There was no bipod on the water, or any indication that ■a shark had seized the poor fellow, and he uttered no cry as he was going down, nor was there any sound of a struggle in the water. The supposition is that lie was suddenly attacked with cramp. Mr Abraham was a married man, his home being In Wellington. He was of a very cheerful disposition, and was liked wherever he went. He was in Gisborne on Saturday evening, and spoke of when he would have the opportunity of making another call, lie was in the best of spirits on the Sunday morning, and cleariy had rio premonition of the suddenness with Which his life was to be out off.