SUICIDE AT SEA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3707, 10 January 1891, Page 2

SUICIDE AT SEA.

Strange CircumstancesThe steamship Lusitania, which arrived at Plymouth on the 19th November from Australia, reported a case of suicide from the ship when in the Red Sea. Two attractive young women had embarked at Sydney as first class passengers, one as lady and the other as maid, but they were afterwards discovered to be sisters. The lady was introduced as Miss M'Knight, and both were found to be accomplished and highly intelligent, and appeared to have moved in good society. Miss M'Knight became exceedingly popular and concerts, in which she took an active part, were frequently given. On the 3rd Novem - ber. when the Lusitauia had arrived in the Red, Sea to within 500 miles of the fcSuez, Miss M'Knight was noticed by some of the passengers to be quieter than usual and in the evening she did not attend the concert. After the concert Miss M'Knight was standing on the upper deck with several other passengers, enjoying the beautiful night, till ahout half past 10, when, without the slightest warning, she stepped upon a seat and threw herself over the rail. Some gentlemen who were standing near rushed towards her, but were too late to reach her. The at once put back. Boats were promptly lowered, and a search kept up for two hours, but without success. The act of the deceased appeared to have thoroughly upset herNtt&erjwuo during the remainder of the passage had to be carefully watched. She was continually suffering from fits. Any music played appeared instantly to recall her mind to the dreadful incident, and each night a stewardess was put to sleep at the door of her cabin. She was landed at. Naples, The deceased appeared to 'possess an abundance of means, and had a large collection of very valuable ' jewellery. She was going to EngUnd to be married, and had been hearcrto express repugnance to the match, Hut from the light and happy manner in which she appeared to pass her time', that observation was regarded rathoi? as a joke than otherwise.