UNTRUE RUMOURS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2924, 18 August 1925, Page 3

UNTRUE RUMOURS.

AMERICAN SAILORS DEATH. An element of mystery-surrounds the -death of Wallace Dale, a young sailor on one of the American warships, who died on hoard the hospital ship Relief on Friday morning. A statement has been circulated in j lie city that the deceased succumbed from injuries inflicted in a brawl at Courtenay Place. This is said to be incorrect. He had never offended in any way. To clear the sailor’s name, Commander Adams in explaining things to a “Dominion” reporter stated that Dale, had never given them cause for trouble. The rumours were untrue. Dale was never in any altercation. And so he asked for the sake of the dead boy that this lie made public. While on the Relief Dale stated that he had fallen over a gravel pile near Pipitea Wharf. The spot was very dark at night, and returning to the ship he had accidently tripped. As he felt no ill-effects at the time lie did not think anything more of the matter and went, about his duties in the usual way. On Thursday he dropped while at work on the fleck and was conveyed lo ihe Hospital ship. At a late hour on Thursday night he gradually began io sink and died early on Friday morning. Following the usual custom carried out by the United States Navy, the body of Dale will he taken back and banded over to his relatives. In all cases where it is possible to do so this course is followed. The body will lie embalmed.

A cablegram his been dispatched in Salem advising Dale's people of his death.