HUNDREDS DROWNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 140, 16 June 1931, Page 7

HUNDREDS DROWNED

PLEASURE BOAT SINKS TRAGEDY OFF FRENCH COAST STEAMER TURNS TURTLE CAUGHT IN BISCAY SWELL Uy telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.J Received June 15, 8.35 p.m. PARIS, June 15. The pleasure steamer St. Philbert, .189 tuns, carrying hundreds of excursionists, foundered near St. Nazaire. There were only eight urvivors. Tho St. Philbert left Nantes on Sunday morning bound for l.oirmoutiers, from which she departe ou her homeward journey during the afternoon, when sho encountered a heavy gale .vhi-li increased. It is believed that the passengers, in order to escape th 5 full force of the wind, crowded to one side, the vessel a heavy list, x hick plac her at the mercy of tho Biscay swe.l, by which she was overwhelmed. The lighthouse keeper at .Saint Gildas heard screams and saw the steamer rolling violently. Suddenly she turned turtle. A tug, which was ordered to the scene, return d tu Nantes with one survivor and the bodies of three women. A later message states that the death ro.l was smaller than at first feared, as about 100 excursionists were so ill on the outward journey that they decidcu to return to Nantes by other means from Noinuouticr, which is connected with the mainland at low tide. It is now stated ths 300 perished. Many bodies have been brought to Saint Nazarie, where irowds await news. Tho victims were mostly textile workers. Hearuieuding scenes were witnessed ashore. It is feared that many entire families have been lost. One survivor said that the St. Philbert was running’ in a gulf between great seas, all the passengers being cn th lee side. The vessel capsized so suddenly that nobody had much chance to doi. a lifebelt.