LOSS OF THE BIRKENHEAD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 9

LOSS OF THE BIRKENHEAD.

DEATH OF THE LAST SURVIVOR

(By Cable.—Press Association Copyright.) (Recoived May 19th, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON*, May 10. Tho death has occurred of Captain G. Lucas,'.the last survivor of the- troopship " Birkqnhead.

The wreck of the Birkenhead on the South African coast on February 26th, 1852, is famous for the heroism of tho troops 6he carried. Sho was a paddlesteamer, and was convoying detachments of one cavalry and nine infantry Regiments to tho Capo, for the Kaffir war. vShe struck at night, and in calm weather, on Point Danger, about 50 miles from Simon's Bay, on tho South African coast; and in about half.an hour went to pieces. The rush of water through tho hole made by the rocks must have drowned the men on the lower troopdeck as they slept. The rest of tho troops went on deck and perfect disciplmo was maintained while preparations were made "to save tho women and children. An officer who survived described the "order and regularity, ,, in tho face of death, as f*r exceeding anything ho tnoujxht' could bo effected by .the best discipline. Of 6.38 persons on board only 184 wero saved. Tho story of the men's heroism soon became world-famous; tho King of Prussia ordered it to be read at the head of every regiment as an example of discipline and devotion to duty.