MISSING STEAMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13834, 21 August 1908, Page 5

MISSING STEAMERS.

THE AEON AND HAWEA.

NO FURTHER NEWS.

SEVERAL VESSELS IN SEARCH. No news has yet been received regarding the cargo steamer Aeon, which is now considerably overdue. At the local oflice of the Howard Smith Company, however, no great alarm is felt about the Aeon, because she is what is known in shipping parlance as a "well-found boat." She is practically a new boat, built with every auxiliary for sailing in the event of her main engines breaking down. The Aeon is of 4221 tons register, and is owned by the Howard Smith Company, of Melbourne.

But there is little doubt that the Aeon has met with a mishap of some kind, whether of a serious nature or not. She left San Francisco on July 6 last, with a cargo consisting principally of lumber, for Apia, New Zealand, and Australia. Her cargo is distributed as follows :—For Apia, 79 tons New Zealand, 183 tons; Australia, 270 tons of general cargo and 1,019,000 super, feet lumber. She also had for delivery at. Napier after calling at Auckland 950,000 ft of lumber.

The Aeon has not been heard of since leaving San Francisco. She was due at Apia, on July 24, but had not arrived there by the 6th inst., this news having been brought by steamer, as there is no cable communication with that port. Allowing from 28 to 30 days as an average run of at cargo steamer from San Francisco to Auckland, she is now about 15 days overdue.

The Yeddo is out searching for the Aeon, and it is understood that three other boats in the same line are keeping a look-out for her. She is commanded by Captain E. A. Downey, and has a crew of 40 men. She has accommodation for five passengers. No further news regarding the Union Steam Ship Company's missing steamer Hawea has come to hand since the information furnished by Captain Newton of the Moana, which was published in the Herald. ANOTHER TUG SENT OUT. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Sydney, August 20. The tug Irresistible sailed from Newcastle on Tuesday to search for the mieeing steamer Hawea.