DISCIPLINE IN FACE OF DEATH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 5

DISCIPLINE IN FACE OF DEATH

A ''SECOND BIRKENHEAD " . STIRRING NARRATIVE Paris, March 6. A. stirring narrative is told of tho sinking of tho French transport Athos, cast of Malta, on February 17. Tho tragedy is described as "a second Birkonhcad." When the torpedo struck .the Athos, tho captain gave her ton minutes to live. The chief engineer, Mr. Donzel, whoso hand was blown off, went to the engine-room instantly, to prevent an explosion. Ho knew ho could never come up'again, and did not. Tho Athos carried a thousand Chinese, coolies, going _as labourorsto France, under Captain Silvostro and a dozen interpreter officers. These saved all the coolies, but Captain Silvestro and tho interpreters wont down. Tho transport also carried llirro German spies, who were caught in liido-China, and were oonfined_ in separate cells. Sergeant Moujcau, who was responsible for them, went into tho hold and unlocked two of tho colls, and the pr.ipor.<!r3 were saved. While he was uaJocking tho tlurd cell tlio Athos sank, and '.ho third spy and Sergeant Monjesu ivero drc7?ned.

A battalion of SsE.£galese infantry, under French oiCeavs, could not bo saved, and the Athos sank with tho Senegalese drawn ;i;i 'in line presenting arms, with their officers at their head saluting.

Captain Dorise, commanding tho transport, went down with the ship, but came up and died on tho surface. Two men swam ashore with his dead bodv. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[Tho English transport Birkenhead was wrecked off the Gape of Good Hopo on February 26, 1.852. The .troops formed at the word of command, and Went down at their posts, having put tho women and children in the boats. Moro than 400 men were drowned.] \