THE AEON WRECKED.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 311, 22 September 1908, Page 5

THE AEON WRECKED.

The steamer Aeon, which left San Francisco on July 6th for Samoa, Auckland, Napier, Sydney, and about which there had been great anxiety for some weeks, was wrecked on the south-east point of Christmas Island on July 18th. All hands (some fifty), including four ladies and two children, and 500 bags of mails, were saved.

Among the cargo were oilengines for launches, one of which was fitted into a boat as an auxiliary, and five men started for Fanning Island. They encountered bad weather, and as the boat was damaged, they returned to Christmas Island and refitted. They sailed again last Wednesday, arriving at Fanning Island on Saturday. They were the captain, second officer, two engineers, and a seaman.

The people are camping on Christmas Island, and are getting water from the ship. They have six months’ rations and two sheep. A house was built for the ladies. The Aeon is a total wreck. The lower holds are full of water, and as heavy weather has prevailed since the ship went ashore it is feared that salvage operations will be of little use.

The Manuka is due at Fanning Island to-morrow, and she will be instructed to proceed to Christmas Island and pick up the castaways. The Aeon was insured in London offices for £50,000, and the cargo, valued at £lOO,OOO, was, it is understood, also largely insured.