WRECK OF THE AEON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3007, 2 October 1908, Page 5

WRECK OF THE AEON.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—Br Electric Telegraph Copyright.

CASTaWAYS arrive AT SUVA

STORY OF THE DISASTER. Received October 1, 10.30 a.m. ' SUVA, October 1. Fifty-five of the Aeon castaways, including 35 Chinese, have arrived at Suva. All are well. The Aeon struck at 9.30 o'clock on the night of July 18th. The captain then estimated that the vessel was twenty miles clear of danger, lie attributes the accident to the currents. Life preservers were supplied, and (he boats got ready. Splendid behaviour was shown. The captain then took soundings, and decided to wait till day-light. As may be imagined, there was no sleep for anyone; all were waiting to take to the boats if necessary. When daylight came it showed, three hundred yards distant, a desert i?land, and a boat, under the first officer, went ashore and secured there a cable to help the passage of the other boats. The passengers —the ladies and children being looked after first--were landed. They spent the day exposed to the sun and foodless. Later three canvas tents were erected for the ladies, the officers and the crew. All then had supper, there being plenty of food, consisting of tinned meats, biscuits and tea. There is no living thing on the island, not even a mosquito. A condenser was rigged up with the objact of supplementing the local supply of water, which was found to be string with limeFine south-east weather prevailed. Tne men built eight tents, one to be used as a hospital for Mrs Patrick, to whom a baby girl had been born twenty-four hours before the Manuka arrived at Suva. Mrs PatricK had a nurse and every convenience at her confinement. The Aeon is high and dry, broadside on. She is unbroken, and has sustained only small damage. Two million feet of timber and the general cargo 'tween decks has not been injured. The Manuka al o brought five hundred bags of the Aeon's mails. The Aeon ran smoothly on to the coral rock on Christmas Island. The night was very dark, and the current strong. The engines were kept running astern for an hour and a-half, but the wind swung the steamer broadside on the reef. The Manuka arrived on September 22nd, and found the castaways all well, and deligh.ed at succour coming so soon. The skilful manner in which the Manuka was handled by Captain Morrisby and his officers all n'ght off a dangerous shore, with a strong j current, and the embarking of passengers and mails without the slightest mishap excited the great admiration of the passengers, who passed a resolution of commendation. The passengers embarked safely after 7 p.m., despite a jumping sea, which made the conveyance of Mrs Patrick and her baby especially difficult. The Aeon lies on an even keel, but her recovery is hopeless. The bottom is knocked out, and :she is full of water. Given good weather, much cargo could be saved. The American supply -ship Solace takes the Aeon's Sanioara passengers, and rejoins the cruiser fleet ,a Honolulu. Received October 1, 10 p.na. SYDNEY, October 1. The Aeon lies on a ilevel keel twenty .yards from the beach. The vessel is a hopeless wreck, ithe bottom having been knocked out of it. Much of the cargo coivld ibe F.av.etl provided good weather pre-v-aiiled.