SHIPPING DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21362, 16 June 1931, Page 7

SHIPPING DISASTER

FRENCH VESSEL FOUNDERS \ ________ EXCURSIONISTS ON BOARD HUNDREDS. OF UVES LOST (United. Press. Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, June 15. The pleasure steamer Saint Philbert, of 189 tons, carrying 500 excursionists, foundered on Chatellier Reef, near Saint Kazaire. There are only eight survivors. ■ RECOVERY OF BODIES HEARTRENDING SCENES ASHORE PARIS, June 15. (Received June'ls; at 8 p.m.) The Saint Philbert left Nantes on Sunday morning,' bound for Noirmoutier, from which she departed on her homeward journey during the afternoon, when she' encountered a heavy gale, which increased. It is believed that the passengers, in order to escape the full force Of the wind, qx>wded to one side, giving the' vessel a heavy list, which placed her at; the mercy of the Biscay swell, by which she was overwhelmed. The lighthouse keeper at Saint Gildae heard screams and saw the steamer rolling violently and suddenly turn turtle. A tug which was’ ordered to the scene returned to Nantes with one survivor •nd the bodies of three women. A later message states that the death roll is smaller than was at first feared as about 100 excursionists were so ill on the outward , journey that they decided to return to Nantes by other means from Noirmoutier, which is connected With the mainland at low tide. • It is now stated that 300 perished. Many bodies have been brought to Saint Nszaire, where crowds await news. The victims were mostly textile workers. Heart rending scenes were witnessed ashore. It is feared that many entire families have been lost.' A SURVIVOR’S STORY. VESSEL CAPSIZES SUDDENLY. ' y :■ PARIS, June 15. (Received June 15, at 10 p.m.) A survivor said that the Saint Philbert was running in the gulf between great seas, all the passengers being on the lee side. The vessel capsized so suddenly that nobody had much chance to don a lifebelt. ». ; The same stem upset a boat on Lake Aiz-le-Bains, five people being drowned. A motor car was blown into: the canal at Dunkirk, two people being drowned, 1 . and a river overflowed at Vienna, flooding houses and drowning five of the inmates. St!? h<! W»- ! ,