THE AEON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2997, 21 September 1908, Page 5

THE AEON.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

WRECKED ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND. ALL HANDS SAVED. Received September 19, 1.30 p.m. SUVA, Setember 19. Word has been received here that the Aeon was wrecked on July 18th, on the south-east point of Christmas island. All hands, some fifty in number, including four ladies and two children, were saved, and also 500 bags of mail. Among the cargo were oil engines for Launches, one of which was fitted into a boat and four men started for Fanning Island. They encountered bad weather, and the boat was damj aged, and they returned to Christmas Island. They re-fitted the boat and arrived at Fanning Island to-day with the captain, the second officer and two engineers. The people camping on Christmas Island are getting their water from the ship, and have six months' rations. The Aeon is a total wreck, the lower hold being full of water. Heavy weather prevails, and it is feared that salvage operations will be useless. The boat took four days to reach Fanning Island. The Manuku is due at Funning Island on Tuesday, and has been instructed to pick up the castaways. ■ Received September 21, 12.40 a.m. SYDNEY, September 20. A Reuter message received to-day states that the Aeon's passengers consist of the Rev. Patrick (who is going Pago Pago as chaplain), his wifd and two children, a nurse and servant, and Mrs Riddle, who is going to join her husband, Lieutenant Riddle, at Pago Pago. The wells near the scene of the "'reck yield plenty of brackish water, but drinkable. A small quantity of fresh water brought from the ship was reserved for Mrs Patrick. The only case of milk was kept for hir and the children. The castaways had pleny of tea, coffte and cocoa, but no sugar. The land is all barren rock, and there was no shelter from the sun till the tents and houses, were erected. The ladies' boots were worn out,, and cases of rubber shoes were found and cut down for the ladies' use. On the second attempt- made I o leave the island the ladies made for the boat for luck a Southern Cross pennant with tho motto "Lone Hand." Received September 21, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, September 20. The Aeon was insured in London offices for £50,000. The cargo was valued at £IOO,OU'O, It is understood tb be largly insured.