Year: 1878

STRANGE STORY OF THE SUICIDE OF PATRICK
LANDY, SAILOR WHILE ON THE VOYAGE
FROM LONDON TO NEW YORK.
Before the good ship New World, Hammond mas
ter started on her last voyage from London to New
York, which voyage finished Wednesday last
by her safe arrival in port. sailor shipped who
gave the name of Henry r. Landy. 1t not sis-
pected vt the time. though of the other sailors
had known him before that il would be his last
age. and that the Ordinary seaman" would turn out
determined and successful suicide Yet before the
ship was week out Lsndy had cut his throat with y
razor and that failing TO bring him the fate he COW
eted he had jumped overheard leaving written cx-
planation of his deed behind in which he stated that
his object was TO deliver his soul to the devil.
Landy ordinary looking sailor not entirely
destitute of education. and in seeming competent
man enough for the discharge of the duties he un-
dcrtook. He brought his chest on board and until
the ship under way displayed characteristics
which seemed remarkable. 1t was noticed. however
the way to the sea, that he was peculiar. His
mates were surprised to see that he did not sleep
All night long. instead Of turning in with the Others
he would stand erect with his head bent il busy
in meditation prayer, and when the others
duty. busying themselves about the ship. he would
much attention from the officers might have been
expected. for they were not shorthandesl, but the



it, agreeing with the verdict OF the who had
known him before, that he was crazy
THnoAr WITH A RAZOR.
On October -, however. his insanity assumed
unexpected form, and one OF the crew. running on
deck at abont four bells III the evening with bloody
in his hand. informed the first mate. who was
officer Of the deck ut the time that Landy had cut his
throat Running below. the officer found him stand
ing in his favorte attitude Of meditation with
blood streaming down from ghastly wound in his
throat


.What have you doney' asked the officer, stcrnly
We cift III he IN M
agitation.


surgical skill which forms the part OF seaman
training the mate dressed his wound. 1t proved not
to be dangerous. although it ugly. but there
seemed good reason to suppose that the attempt on
his own life might be repeated. Landy was put in
irons and confined in . small room the door being
lashed firmly. At first he made remonstrance,
but after being imprisoned for two nights he begged
to be let out


"But if let you out now, said the mate, .you will
only try to kill yourself again.


..Oh no." said Landy; 4 did that because the
devil had such hold Of me that | couldn't help it;
but I've made my peace with God since then. have
been terrible sinner and the devil got terrible grip
on me-"


After several such conversations as this Landy
allowed to be out on desk during the day, but
did duty, standing around like in dream all
the time. The captain had him put at some light
work between the decks for day. more to keep
him from broodng than anything else as he had no
thought Of getting seaman's service from him. But.
although q set to watch him, he did no
work. but sat always medtatng and answering
nothing to the questions that were put to him by his
Sllpmatc.


INTO ETERNITY.


On the fifth night after he cut his throat sailor
reported to the officer deck that the door of Ian
dy's room had been forced open and the unatic was
missing The ship searched stem to stern.
but for than hour without result. At length
Of the officers looking the vessels starboard
side, Landy standing on boring tackle near the
waters edge. and holding ON by the channels, some
feet above his foothold. He had, so the mate
declares been standing there for ut least hour. As
the boats vain, who discovered him. made effort
to reach down quietly and catch hold of him, Landy
looked up and said quietly,


What do you wantY'


'Comc up here said the boatswain, angrily.
''What are you doing down there r


Elm going to jump said Landy.


II useless to argue, and the boatswain reached
for him again; but just as his hand about the
nadlnan wrist the latter rclnqushed his hold, and
without word jumped into the


The ship was going about nine and half knots an
hour, and although she wore around at once, IL was
found that to haul her up on the wind and get
back to lower the boats to search for the unfor
tunate would take fully hour and the search
deemed useless.


In his chest was found a small blank book with
sey eral leaves torn out and of the remaining
leaves the following note. in perfectly legibe
writing. The few errors are not corrected


Captain Hammond please put In OF the york
papers that Patrick Landy Of John his
board Of ship he being compelled do by giving
able do anything much troubled IT IL not that


body sick my soul that II is trouble for il is
ruined.


His few effects delivered on the ships arrival
to tine United States Shipping Commissioner here, and
subject to the claim OF his heirs.