WRECK OF THE ÆON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14579, 19 July 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE ÆON.

UNSUCCESSFUL SALVAGE EXPFDI TION.. AUCKLAND, June 24. I lie romantic fascination that ahvavs attaches to the search for treasure trove gave an interest to the expedition of the auxilw.ry scow Zinga.ra, which setoff in I'cbruary for Christmas Island in an endeavour to salvo the wrecked steamer ™, T ! le vmmn <* Wils not altogether eßaccd when the first news came thWh from Panning Isiand that the /Eon was broken up iU icl her cargo dispersed, sunk or stolen. Even then there remained the element of chance. The expedition might yet recover somcthinfr of sufficient value to more than recoup thole who had organised it. But chance failed, and to-day the Zinga.ra returned to Auckland with a story of disappointment and practical failure. ' The /Eon, which was wrecked in August last, had only been built four years, and had cost between £50.000 and £60,000. She had a valuable general cargo, estimated to be worth £80,000. A local syndicate negotiated! for and procured the rights to salvage the wreck, and on February 21 the Zingara, under the charge' of Captain Robinson, who was a member of the syndicate, sailed from Auckland in the hopes of recovering the lost treasure. On the return of the expedition this morning, 'Captain Robinson furnished an account of the trip, which was unsuccessful : — "I think," said Captain Robinson. that in all probabilitv someone had visited the iEon before we got there and removed the cargo; in fact, I am sure of it." On his return to Fantham Island Captain Robinson learned enough, to satisfy him that more than one vessel had been employed in the removal of the eargo from the wreck. One small vchol, for instance, stated to have had dvnamite pumps and so on en board, was "said to have visited Christmas Island several times. Whilst the Zingara was at the island a steamer hove in sight in the offing one night. A blue flare was sent up, whereupon the lights on the stranger went out, and the steamer made off in the opposite direction. In the opinion of Captain Robinson the pirates are Americans, and he believes they have hidden thp .Eon's cargo on an unfrequented island and are awaiting an opportunity of removing it. He firmly believei that American or other pirates'have exploited the wreck and that thev blew up the hull of the JEon. The beneficial remedial powers of WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS are acknowledged everywhere.