THE MISSING AEON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 438, 22 September 1908, Page 3

THE MISSING AEON.

How the Castaways Fared. Sydney, September 20. Heavy weather has prevailed and it is feared that salvage operations will be useless. The boat took four days to reach Fanning Island.

The Manuka is due at Fanning Island on Tuesday and will be instructed to pick up the castaways. A Reuter’s message, received today, states that amongst the Aeon’s passengers were the Rev. Patrick, his wile and two children, nurse and servant, who were going to Pago Pago, the minister as chaplain ; and Mrs Riddle, going to join her husband, Lieutenant Riddle, at Pago Pago. Wells nears the scene of the wreck yield plenty of brackish water, but drinkable, A small quantity of fresh water, brought from the ship, was reserved for Mrs Patrick ; also the only case of milk was kept for her aud the children. There was plenty of tea, coffee aud cocoa, but not sugar. The laud is all barren rock and there was no shelter irom the sun till the tents and houses were erected. The ladies’ boots became worn out and cases of rubber shoes were fouud[and cut down for their use. On the second attempt to leave the island the ladies made for the boat, for luck, a Southern Cross Pennant, with the motto of the Lone Hand. The Aeon was insured in a London office for The cargo was valued at ,£IOO,OOO and is understood to be largely insured.