The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-30
M'KAY'S LAST LEAP.
A Romantic Lover, Crossing on Steamer from
Liverpool, Becomes Deranged by Fright and
Leaps Out in Midocean- Three Seamen
Witness It, but Allow Him to
Go to the Bottom.

remarkable case OF self destruction on the high
seas has been reported. 1t appears that among the
steerage passengers on board the steamship Allan
tic, leaving Liverpool on April Is, party consisting
ola young girl named Linsley, accompanied by heI
brother and her lover, by the name of Mckay, were
"messing" together on the way to the West. Nc.
Kay was an Irshman, about twenty-six years OF
age and by trade baker, He had the reputation
OF nice, honest, quiet fellow, and strictly tenn
perate. He was Of a cheerful disposition, and when
he came on board was in extra good
spirits. Happy, probably, In contemplating
the pleasant prospect of being together
on voyage across the mighty deep with her to
whom he was subsequently to have Joined his for.
tunes, and for the Journey through life. Mckay
soon made the acquaintance OF his fellow craftsmen,
the ships bakers, and as they were rather busy he
volunteered his SERVERS one day, and went into the
cook room to assist Everything went on right
till Saturday, when there was considerable sea on.
Every time big wave caused the ship to heave
O little more than usual-thOugh considering all
things, she behaved In steady manner, so much so
that the MOTION was scarcely M IN the
motion-somc Of the cooks or bakers would say In
q joking manner
or words to that effect. This frightened Mckay and
made him very uneasy. Towards evening he spoke to
MT. Linsley the brother Of the Young woman he was
any danger. Linsey told him there was not the
slightest, and after While succeeded In removing
his fears and got him to bed. He slept well during
the night, and when he aw0ke In the morning APP
peared all right, and laughed heartily at his fears
expressed the day before. All day Sunday there
was strong northeasterly wind and high sea, but
still no danger. In the afternoon, however,
Mckay became. frightened again, and asked
all endeavOred to dispel his fears by assuring him
there was no danger whatever, but still he became
more frightened and nervous. At about halfpast
SIX he went into the cook room and commenced as
sisting one OF the men. After sitting there nearly
an hour, during which time he remained perfectly
mute, he suddenly leaped to his feet and said, "Can
7Can you 90 out ? why, OF course you can go
out" replied one of the bakers
Immediately after this he arose. walked on deck
to the side of the Ship put his hand on the rail- and
LEApED INTo THE WATER.
He was never seen or heard Of again. e~t
Now comes the strangest part of the story.
Although three men saw him Jump over not one OF
Of Nor d thew e Give
any other alarm until ten minutes afterwards,
when one OF them, In quiet, characteristic man.
time previously man had jumped overheard. This
was so contrary to the manner In which seamen
usually act occasions such as this that the officer
was inclined to believe he was trying to deceive
him. and after he had spoken with the other two
men who saw McKays last leap he was more In
doubt than before, and did not credit the story till
he looked over the list next morning and
found one man missing. The cabin passengers
all shared the officers doubts, and many would
scarcely believe 1t when 1t was officially reported
In the morning, so remarkable did 1t seem that
man should, without reason or explanation, jump
from a steamer In mid-ocean, when the act must re-
suit In DEATH
Mr.. Linsley says Mckay never drank; that he had
troubles OF any kind that would be apt to affect
his mind, and that none OF his family, SO far as he
was aware, had been insane. There is no
doubt that the heat OF the cook room, where he had
elected to spend a portion Of his time, combined
with slight sea sickness and his fears that the ship
would never reach land, worked unfavorably upon
his mind, causing temporary insanity
Perhaps, after all, the unhappy young creature
who was so summariy deprived OF her aflanced
husband was more thought of than the loss of the
man. Being greatly affected by sea sickness, the
news of her lovers untimely end was withheld
from her long possible. At length her brother
informed her OF the sad circumstance, ana then
heartrending scene occurred She rose ana stag
gered towards the hatchway, begging him to allow
SHE RAvED AND wEPT,
threw herself down on the floor covered with saw
dust and evinced an unusual degree of mental
agony. At one time she vowed her lot should be
cast with Mckay's even in death; In another mo-
ment she npbraided the coldhearted men who had
permitted him TO become prey to the waves with
out even an attempt at rescue or alarm. She Ere-
sented most melancholy appearance and reused
to be comfOrted The utmost sorrow was pressed
for her by all the passengers on board ana sense
OF Indignation pervaded the COMPANY wing to the
utter recklessness OF the seamen who lw the man
fall into the water and failed to report 1t in accord.
ance with the ordinary rules on shpboard.