EATEN BY CANNIBALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 198, 11 August 1908, Page 4

EATEN BY CANNIBALS.

' Awi'Lf, r'ATK Itf WUJOIKLU AUtilMliKli. rreuiantle, July 21). Jt.M.s. Macedonia, which has just armed U'om London, Brings details oi the terrible disaster ou the river Congo, when the steamer \ nle do Uruges wits wrecked, with a loas ol between i'U ami 80 live?, and some of the Jiuropuun survivors were eaten by cannibals. The vessel was on the voyage from Stanleyville to Lcopoldville, and had called at Dumangi, about midway, on April 15. Shortly after the resumption u/ Uie voyage the vessel suddenly encountered a violent tornado. Captain l.uudgren decided to seek shelter near the shore, but the tempest increased in fury, am] he was unable to carry out his intentions.

The storm drove the vessel- on a saiid-bank, and the vessel eventually overturned. In addition to Captain Lundgren, tbvrc were six Europeans on board, Belgians and Sweden, the rest being natives. Captain Lundgren and a friend with much dillieolty succeeded in swimming ashore, but directly they did so they wvrc seized by the natives. Some clamored i'or the lives of the captives, while others, more fearful of the eonsequeiHTs .counselled the chieftains not to bring reprisals on thein Uy slaying while men. The chieftains turned a deaf car to tlfie latter/ supplications, and after parleying, Captain Lundgren and his friend were, speared to death. The engineer of the Villi- de Bruges, ■who had managed to keep himself 'afloat, was a spectator of the terrible tragedy, but succeeded later in escaping the natives' clutches, and in a terribly vxhaustod state, he was able to communicate, to the commandant, of the nearest station the ghastly story. Afnr as can be ascertained, he is lb- sole survivor of the disaster. Sj-arcli was made for the bodies o| Captain Lundgren and his friend, Iml without avail, and then.- seems little doubt they were eaten by natives. "Many arrests w?ro made hi connection with'the affair. The. engineer of the \ die de Rruges 10-t his reason through'the terrible ordrail he had undergone.