Career
On 29 November 1892 McKinnon departed to cross Lake Te Anau to go to Milford but never arrived. He was last seen sailing with a fair wind on Lake Te Anau by a hand from the Te Anau station. A search party was sent to the area in January 1893 but did not find any trace of him.
His wrecked boat and belongings were discovered but his body was never recovered.
He was presumed drowned in Lake Te Anau. A public subscription was raised to build the Quintin MacKinnon Memorial Cairn which stands at the summit of Mackinnon Pass.
