Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-22
DISCOVERY OF A PIECE OF ANTI
QUITY.

TAIN KipD's VrssEr.--On Monday we were
invited TO inspect, at the office of Mr.. A. G.
Thompson, Wall street, piece Of ordnance, re-
Gently raised from the bed of the river, at the
mouth of the race, a little above Nerblank's
Point. 1t is of the carronade class, about three
and such as were very frequently used on board
of vessels from the time of Elizabeth to the ear
" part Of the reign ofGeorges 1t has large
handle at the breech, where it measures up
wards Of three feet round, and heavy square
sight over the mouth altogether. very differ
eut instrument of warfare to those used at the
present time.
There are circumstances attending this dis
covery which may not be unnteresting TO ma
ny. Between the years 1896 and 100, it may
be remembered that the whole ofthis coast was
infected by gangs Of desperate pirates and free
hooters, or buccaneers, as they were then term
"a and none so much dreaded as the notorious
Capt. William Kidd. He was alike feared by
head 30 much so that England was obliged at
length to fit out couple of large vessels on pur-
pose TO capture him, if possible. 1t was we'll
known that his principal place Of resort and re-
fuge was Long Island Sound and here, in
short time these vessels made their appearance,
and they either discovered the object of their ex-
pediton, OF he espied them, it is not exactly
known which. He ran his vessel close under
Gardners Island, where himself and crew loa-
dcd themselves with such treasures as they
could conveniently carry about their persons.
and landed on the island, where considerable
portion oftheir booty was buried, and Kidd in.
formed Mr.. Gardiner, who resided on the Is
land at the time, where it was deposited, tel
ling him at the same time, that he must answ CT
for it with his life when he returned.
Kidd then set sail up the North River, and
finding escape with the vessel impossible, or
that he could not proceed further with safety.
determined upon Jo-,--:i~s 49, III ----.
,neiI, II is supposed, separated and scattered
themselves over different parts of the interior.
Shortly after, Kidd and some five or SIX of his
crew, crossed over to Boston, where they were
taken prisoners. Upon being lnterrogated, he
informed the then Governor of Massachusetts
where he had deposited his booty on Gardner
Island, observing that only himself and Gardner
knew where it lay, and the Governor sent over
parties to obtain it, but Mr.. Gardner refused to
point it Gut until he was perfectly satisfied that
he was safe from the menaces of Kidd and his
associates. Opon its recovery and examina-
tlon, it was found to be of upwards Of a quarter
If million in value. Mr.. Gardnet then recei-
we'd receipt Of the same from the Governor,
which is still in possession Of one Of the descen-
dsnts of that gentleman. Kidd was further in
,srrogated as to what had become of the re-
mainder Of his treasures, for it was generally
having but a very short time previously captu-
red three Spanish galleys with cargoes valued
at near upon ten millions Of dollars. In reply,
Kidd, it is said, observed that whatever else
there was went down with the vessel. Short
~ after this he and his companions were con-
veyed to England, where they were tried and
found guilty of murder and executed in the ear
~ part ot l7Ol.
Several attempts have been made at different
times by varions parties to ascertain wherea-
bouts the remains Of this vessel lay ; and it is
SAID that some 25 or 30 years since parties were
sent from England to ascertain if possible its
situation, but without success. Some 10 or Is
years since Mr. A. q. Thompson, Of Wall street
whom We believe to be descendant ofthe Gard
ner's previously alluded TO, in conjunction with
other gentlemen, secured the land and got q
grant from the State to search for the remain,
ol this vessel. They acted on the traditions
handed down from "sire to son" and other con
meeting links, after some years toll and expense
we're fortunate enough To find evidences of ha
wing discovered the remains of a vessel nea
unto the spot where it is said Kidd had destroy
cd his. During their research, by boring anC
prcking, they have several times brought uI
pieces OF charred wood. This will in some de
gree answer to the account given OF ts bein.
the Identical vessel, it having been set fire to
Further, the size Of the hull as near as can b.
it is said Kidd sailed already it is known t
exceed $50 feet N length, and in u.her respect
as near as possible about the siZe Of one Of on
forty gun frigates. The hull. with the exccE
ton Of the stern part, is in perfect state.
is supposed il was the stern part that blew Il
after she was set fire to and caused her TO sin
sooner than might have been expected By th