The Wreck of tho Aeon

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12582, 1 October 1908, Page 5

The Wreck of tho Aeon

Castaways arrive at Suva

Their Life on Christmas Island

SUVA, October 1.

Fifty-four of the Aeon castaways, ' including 35 Chinese, have arrived at Suva. When the Aeon struck on the night of July 18th, the captain estimated that the ship was 20 miles clear of danger. He attributed the accident to currents.

Life preservers were at once supplied, and the boats got ready, there being splendid behaviour. The captain, took soundings, and decided to wait till daylight. The passengers and crew took no sleep, waiting to take to the boats if necessary. Daylight showed, 300 yards distant, a desert island. A boat under the first officer went ashore and secured a cable for the boats, with the passengers, to land. The ladies and children were first sent ashore. They spent a day exposed to the sun, and foodlegs. Three canvas tents were then erected for the ladies, and the officers and crew tlken lia.cl supper. Tll^re were plenty of tinned meats, biscuits, and tea. There were no living things on the island, not even mosquitoes. A condenser was rigged, which supplemented the local supply of water, which was strongly impregnated with lime.

Fine, strong, south-east weather prevailed, and the crew built eight tents, one a hospital for Mrs Patrick, to whom a baby girl was born 24 hours before the Manuka arrived.

The Aeon is high and dry, and broadside on. She is unbroken, and only small damage was done. Two million feet of timber and the general cargo in the 'tween decks, are uninjured.