The Wreck of the Aeon.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12583, 2 October 1908, Page 5

The Wreck of the Aeon.

Interview with the Captain. A Lady Passenger's Narrative (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 1. A cable from Suva to-day states that Captain Downie was interviewed this afternoon, but was reticent a^ _JJhe cause of the disaster, attributing it, however, to the strong current. "We were," he said, "four weeks fitting the engine in the lifeboat. On August 17th we started for^ Fanning Island— myself, the chief engineer, the second mate, and the third engineer. The enginertpoke down, on the, first day, sud tfce -'yflr and rudder also broke. Having no sails we drifted about until the current carried ua'back to Christmas Island. Effecting a Janding next morning about six miles from camp, we set to work and refiited the boat with sails, and though the engine broke down often the sails kept us going until we reached Fanning Island on September 18th. The Manuka picked us up on the 22nd, and proceeded to Christmas Island to succour our castaway ' companions. The ' Manuka was* unable to anchor, and it was with difficulty that all were got aboard by noon of the 24th. No one wjis left in charge of the ship, which is not broken." One of the lady passengers states: — "It was a dark night when the wreck occurred, and great confusion prevailed. The Chinese grabbed all the lifebelts, and did nothing for anyone but the captain. The boats could not be lowered at first owing to the panic among £he Chinese, but the captain kept very cool, and finally all were provided with life belts 1 . None dared go below, and we waited on the deck till daylight, when we rejoiced to see land, though it was bare and, desolate. It was miserable sitting on the, rocks in the sun, although everybody did all they could for us. A case of preserved milk was saved and given to Mrs Patrick for the children. Finally the men built a hospital, and she had all the wanted. When we knew the steamer was coming we all broke~ down and cried. It was 1 such, a relief after what seemed an eternity of waiting. The Chinese looted the wreck, and the captain ordered them off. They refused to do shore work, and there was always a. European guarding the Chinese, who were armed with knives and pistols got from the cargo. Mrs Patrick was confined to. her bed when the Manuka arrived, and her bed was lifted and placed in the boat and hoisted on to the deck. Life on the island was very wearisome, the only incident being the catching of a wild cat."