TRAGEDY AT SEA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 108, 5 October 1874, Page 3

TRAGEDY AT SEA.

The Daily Times publishes the following: — What we have been enabled to further ascertain respecting the Oneca tragedy falls like the shadow of a dark deed that demands the fullest, the most searching investigation. The event —we will for the present so term it until it receives another, and perhaps more fitting designation, at law —occurred in lat. 37 south, long, 48 west, on the 17th day of September, at half-past eleven o’clock at night. Only one man of the crew is said to have witnessed it, but the cries of the unfortunate man, John Green, were heard by others. He was heard to plead for mercy, and then came a splash, followed by grim silence ; the man was overlaoard, but how he went there is a mystery that we have not been able to penetrate. To save him, even if inclination led in that direction, was next to impossible; the ship was rushing through the water at ten-knot speed, and the night was very dark. And so the vessel passed on as John Green’s earthly career closed. ’Tis a shocking tale, that excites feelings of horror and indignation. Green, the deceased man, is said to be a native of Ireland, and 38 years of age.

As we stated in yesterday’s issue, Sergeant Neil and Constables Coffey and Nicol proceeded on board the Oneca at the captain’s request, and the affair as in their power lay. We believe Sergeant Neil obtained certain evidence which in his official capacity he is not in a position to make known. But that he saw reason to leave two constables in charge of Dodd during the night is, to say the least, significant and suggestive. That Dodd was not at once arrested and brought on shore is due to the fact of his being under the American flag. The question of jurisdiction at once intervened and stayed such a proceeding The Resident Magistrate of Port Chalmers, Mr Mansford, declined to issue a warrant, but he has since placed himself in communication with the Attorney-General, to obtain advice how to proceed in a matter involving international relations. In our opinion the case will have to be dealt with by the American Consul only, for if a crime has been committed it was committed on neutral water, and under the American flag. That it will receive the fullest investigation when Mr Driver, the American Consul, returns from Wellington, we have not the slightest doubt, and that he Ishould happen to be absent at such a juncture of affairs is very much to be regretted. Dodd continues in "irons under police surveillance. At 11 o’clock on Sunday night, constable Nicoll was relieved by constable May, and the latter, with constable Coffey, watched throughout the night. Yesterday morning they were relieved by constable Nicoll, Sergeant Nml deeming one constable sufficient guard during the day time. The accused is described as rather an undersized man, of not unprepossessing appearance. He is said to be exceedingly dejected.