THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. SHAFTO ROBERTSON.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 6, 13 October 1871, Page 3

THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. SHAFTO ROBERTSON.

A gentleman who was a passenger on board the Avoca on her last voyage to Ceylon thus relates the circumstances of the unfortunate accident which caused the death of Mr Sbafto Robertson, the actor: —“ On the 28rd of August, the lirst warm day we had, the ship was opened for ventilation, hatches were taken off, and engine room skylight opened. A group of actors and actresses belonging to the troupe bound for Calcutta were standing by the skylights of the engine-room laughing and joking, and Lewis was just giving out to them their parts to study for an early representation, when poor Shafto Robertson, who was chaffing with Julia Kdonin, was apparently leaning hack to a roll of the ship, when he overbalanced himself anp fell down into the engineroom. The engines in this ship have iu-

verted cylinders, he consequently- did not fall into the machinery, but on to the cylinder cover, from which he was taken off insensible. Iu this state he lay for about thirty-six hours. On coming to himself he appeared at first to be doing well, but the last few days has suffered from continual fits, and appears to be gradually passing away. The affair has cast a great gloom over the ship, for he was very much liked by all on board.” A postscript to the letter adds, “ Poor Robertson died last night, and was buried with the usual service at sea this morning, September 2.