WRECK NEAR BRISBANE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 655, 28 March 1914, Page 5

WRECK NEAR BRISBANE.

EIGHTEEN LIVES LOST. FRENCH STEAMER FOUNDERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —OopyrigHt Received Friday, 9.15 p.m. Brisbane, F iday. The steamer St. Paul, bound from Noumea to Brisbane, struck a rock off Cape Moreton and foundered. Eighteen lives were lost and eleven saved. The look-out at Cape Moreton noticed the St. Paul altering her course and signalled "Do you want a pilot?" He understood the reply to be in the affirmative and despatched the pilot steamer, but the vessel struck before assistance arrived., and filled rapidly. The master of the pilot ship states when two miles off the lights of the St. Paul disappeared. He increased speed and soon heard cries of distress from the water. He lowered two boats and rescued eighteen, most of whom were clinging to oars and other floating wreckage. Only two Europeans, both Frenchmen, were among the survivors, the others being South Sea Islanders. The names of the missing have not been ascertained, but are stated to include » lady and female child who were proceeding to Brisbane. The St. Paul carried a cargo of chrome ore. NAMES OF VICTIMS. Later. It now appears twenty people were drowned on the St. Paul. The names are Coree, captain; Charbomeau, second officer Hejerne and Rover, first and third engineers; Mrs Carter and child, passengers; Broise, ship's store keeper; and thirten natives. NATIVE BOY'S HEROISM. this day, 11 a.m. Sydney, This Day. A survivor from the St. Paul gives a pathetic desription of the bravery of a native boy. When it was fonnd impossible to lower a boat the captain handed the child to the boy who heroically attempted to fulfil the trust. Afterwards he was seen in the water with the child clasped in his arms, battling with the waves. He was then lost sight of, having given his life rather than desert the child. ' Mrs Carter's husband is a mining chemist at New Caledonia. Shipping ■ men consider the captain of the St ? Paul had very little knowledge of the " locality. The rock should be lighted. It is . the same as that which the Waipara struck In 1909.