Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-10-28
A TALE OF THE SEA.
Man Attempts Suicide by Starvation,
and Subsequently Throws Him
self into the Sea.

A most singular case of endurance
without food, for an almost incredible
length Of time, occurred on board the
English steamer COlOnist, which arrived
at Savannah on Monday last, from Liv-
erpOOl. Ii appears, from the statement
of the captain, that Swede named John
Watson shipped at Liverpool for the
VOYAGE. Nothing Of an extraordinary
character was observable in his appear
anee or conduct for some time. He dis
charged all the duties required of him
with promptness, and seemed to be get
ting along finely. After the ship mad
been out several days the Swede became
invisible. A diligent, but unsuccessful
search vas made for him in every part
of the ship. The first time he was actu-
ally missed was on the night Of the sixth
Of September, when he was on watch. 1t
was finally concluded that he had jumped
OF fallen overheard during the night,
and consequently no further search was
made.
On the fourth Of October, as one Of the
sailors was down in the hold Of the ship,
looking round for some purpose or 9TH
er, he suddenly came upon the missing
man, lying close down among the sacks
of salt, of which the cargo Of the ship
consisted, and quite near a eask Of fresh
water. Here he had been all that time,
from the sixth Of September until the
fourth Of October-twenty-eight days.
What he had subsisted on while there,
or If he had done entirely without food,
does not appear. There was nothing on
board the ship among the cargo in the
shape OF food, and it is quite certain he
did not 20 in search of any, else he
would have been discovered.
The poor, unfortunate creature was
taken out, more dead than alive, and
food and water offered 10 him, but he
refused them. Everything that could
be done for his comfort and 20 restore
him to a strong and healthy condition
was attempted, but he seemed perfectly
Indifferent to all AS strict a watch as
possible was kept over him, but on the
seventh day after he was taken from
the hold he seized the opportunity and
threw himself into the sea.
As soon as he was discovered, 3 life
preserver was thrown to the drowning
man, but instead Of attempting 10 save
himself by means Of it, be pushed it
from him. The captain then ordered
boat to be lowered and put out for him.
This was Immediately done, but before
il reached him he sank beneath the
waves and passed like q bubble from
sight and into eternity. His body was
never seen again.
There appeared to be no cause at all,
at least 50 far as the unfortunate mans
conduct and conversation were con-
ceIned, upon which to base his singular
and persistent efforts at self-destruction.
II is quite likely that some trouble or
anxiety weighed upon bis mind, and
the probability IS that ne shipped
aboard the ColOnist for the purpose Of
getting an opportunity to commit sui
eide while far from home and friends.
Perhaps his resolution to drown himself
fOrsOOk him at first sight Of the deep,
dark, blue and ever restless ocean, and
that ne sought death by starvation
alone, and where no eye could see and
no friendly hand could save him; and
finally, falling in this, and wrought up
10 desperation. he threw himself into
the sea. TO say the least, ii is q most
singular and determined case Of self
destruction.
NJ. de Tocqueville, the brother and
heir of the eminent writer and phiIoso-
pher, Alexis de Tocqueville, gave in an
unconditional adherence to the republic
can form of government now existing in
France, in a recent speech made in the
center Of his own large property, to the
Agricultural Society Of Cberbourg. He
bears witness that, although the republic
is as vet provisional, manufacturing
towns have resumed their old activity,
and agricultural produce sells a. well as
IN the best of times, and praises Thiers
IN the highest terms.