John,
The NZ pictures are all I could find. The forward superstructure I was discussing shows up in these 2 pictures. From the article, the "3 island" superstructures were typically wood. I believe it made the ship less top heavy and cheaper. The one that shows up right behind the forecastle was not there when the ship hit the bridge. It looks like a modification/ addition done when repairs were made.
In the picture taken from the reef, it shows up just left of the white bulwark. It is light colored and looks like it has several small portholes in it.
In the picture taken from the sea, it shows up as a big black rectangle, in shadow, blocking the view of the forecastle deck. That's why I don't understand why they could see the condition of the decks below the forecastle. I can't see them from the sea because the foreward superstructure blocks the view.
To clarify, I believe the superstructures were wood, not the main deck. The deck of the forecastle could be steel for added strength at the bow and to hold up the anchor gear there, at least the very most forward part of the forecastle deck likely was.
I would still like to see pictures of the starboard side from the Maude / Bevington survey to see if what looks like an "SOS" was there then. If those pictures exist in the Bevington scrap book? I was trying to determine if the"SOS" wasn't there 3 months after AE dissapeared and was there in the NZ survey 1.5 years later? If it was AE, and if it is an SOS, then she was alive more than 3 months.
I agree it would be hot but maybe the breezes high up helped, cool water in the hold could help too. I think if they stayed there it was just a few weeks to watch out for rescue. When that became a lost cause she, or they, left the ship.