FRENCH LINER WRECKED.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11646, 25 August 1905, Page 6

FRENCH LINER WRECKED.

The Russian cruiser Rion, formerly the Smolensk, arrived at Aden at 9 a.m. on the morning of July 3rd with the passengers and crew., of the French steamer Chodoc, 610 souls in all. " . The Chodoc .was wrecked on June 28th eight miles off Cape Guardafui, near the abandoned German steamer Asturia, and remained three days looking out for help from any passing steamer. During that tune she listed to r an. angle of nearly 50 degrees.. The natives, numbering nearly 3000, with spears and guns, rushed to .tire steamer directly she went ashore, but the local Sultan sent a guard to protect the passengers; and the ship, after three days of breathless anxiety," sighted another vessel and signalled for assistance. The Rion came close by, and on aeeing the Chodoc^ dangerous gasition agreed to take off all her passengers and crew, provided that they brought with them no clothing or baggage, except the garments each "was wearing. All the firearms of the French soldiers and the accn'trements of the officers wehe left behind, »nd tho Chodoc herself,, with. her valuable cargo, consisting of 3000 tons of rice and 1000 .tons of gum and coffee, besides all the passengers^luggag^^nd belongings, was; also] abandoned to the Sultan. -

The stranded vessel ran short of water, ana the passengers in desperation paid as muck as four shillings for al,a 1 , drink. Those on board--Vere-- : Aehieny .trench, and' tho soldiers and officers,- besides' a few civilians and ladies. > The latter-, were in a most pitiable condition on arrival at Aden.

Fortunately, the Messageries Maritimes liner Polynesien came in on- July 3rd, and the civilians, ladies, and sick soldiers disembarked from the Bfdn and left bn tlie French liner homeward bound.

There was a heavy fall of snow at Kimbolton last night. The weather during the past few days has been intensely cold.