Colonial Despatches

In this private correspondence, Brew gives a lengthy description of his experiences during the burning and sinking of the Austria, his carrier from England to British Columbia. Brew was among the few random survivors rescued by the Maurice, which he describes as a French ship, of Nantes, captained by Ernest Renaud, who is credited further for his his tenderness and delicacy in dressing the injuries of the rescued, particularly, three badly burned women.