ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13226, 21 September 1908, Page 7

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

SYDNEY, September 19. The Australian representative of tho Pacific Cable Board has been advised from Fanning Island that the Aeon was wrecked on Christmas Island on July ISth. One of the Aeon's boats, containing five men, reached Fanning Island this morning. When it left on Tuesday last the remainder of tho crew and passengers were safe on the island, and had plenty of provisions. The Aeon's mails wero landed. The steamer is a total wreck. SYDNEY, September 20. Tho Aeon's lower holds are full of water, and as heavy weather has prevailed it is feared salvage operationwill be useless. The boat took four days to reach Fanning Island. The' Manuka is due at Fanning Island on' Tuesday, and will bo instructed to pick up the castaways. (riIESS ASSOCIATION TE„EGBJ__S.) WELLINGTON, September 19. The cable superintendent at Doubtless Bay has received the following message from the Pacific Cable Company's superintendent at Fanning Island: — "Aeon wrecked on Ghristmas Island. Officer reports out of total of about 488 mail bags 150 wero saved undamaged The Manuka will probably pick them up on the 24th inst." THE PASSENGERS. (Received September 21st, 12.40 a.m.) A Router message received to-day states that the Aeon's passengers are tho Rev. Mr Patrick, his wife, two children, nurse, and servant. Mr Patrick is going to Pago Pago as chaplain; and Mrs Riddle, going to join her husiband, Lieutenant Riddle, ait. Pago Pago. Wells, near tho scene of hhe wreck, yield plenty of brackish but drinkable water. A small quantiyt of fresh water was brought from the ship, and reserved for Mrs Patrick. Tho only oaso of rnnlk was akso kept for her and her children. There is plenty of tea, coffee, and cocoa, but no sugar. The land ia all barren rock, and there was no shelter from the sun till tents and houses wero erected. The ladies' boots wore out and oases of rubber shoes were found and cut down for the ladies' use. On fell© second attempt to leave tho island, the ladies made for tho boat, for luck, a Southern Crosß Pennant, with tho motto "Lone Hand." '