There are nine supply boats traveling to the island each day bringing foodstuffs such as rice, bean curd, beans, fruit, and bread. The berths on the main port often resound with the squeals of pigs and the clucking of chickens.
小琉球婦女因此經常處在期盼焦慮的情緒中，先生一離家，便開始計算他歸航的日子，等到時間差不多了，就常到港口等候。如果丈夫逾期不歸，便茶不思、飯不想，天天四處打聽，或望著大海發呆，其中的辛酸實非外人所能體會。