3-082-129 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Surgeon E. S. Mckay, 1895. 'A tragic end has come to Surgeon E. S. McKay, to whose many courageous exploits must now be added that which terminated his career near Lake Nyassa on Oct. 26. From the peaceful victories obtained as a champion bicyclist he retired in 1886, after making his name famous in Irish cycling circles, and entered the medical profession. He thrice went out to Africa as surgeon on board a steamer, and then secured, in 1889, a surgeonship in the Royal Navy. After serving on board the Swallow and the Herald, Dr. McKay volunteered to go with the Pioneer to Lake Nyassa. He was left for a few days' shooting on shore, and, it appears, was induced by the rumour that elephants were near at hand to search for them inland. Three boys accompanied him, and the story told by one of them is that they suddenly saw a lion and a lioness near a pool of water. Dr. McKay succeeded in wounding the lion, which made off to the jungle, followed by the young surgeon and one boy. The beast sprang at Dr. McKay, and so injured him, notwithstanding the bravery of the boys, who at last killed the lion, that he succumbed in a few days. Dr. McKay was buried with naval honours in the cemetery at Likoma'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.