Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-09-15
Rccnvcry orIos, Ereasnrez.

The Kennebec journal gives the following
account tie success Of an expedition lately
fitted out from Gardiner, for the recovery OF
treasures from an anciyn. wreck on The coast
OF Venezuela;
"The money for which the search was in
stituted, was lost in the ship San Pedro of
81 guns, on the coast OF Venezuela, in The
year lUl4. Il was during the revolutionary
troubles there, when The provinces werein re-
vol. against The Spanish Government. Az the
time OF herloss the ship lay about fifteen miles
from the island Of Marguertta, snd about five
from the smaller island Of CJche, and had on
board specie TO the amount olseycrdl millions
IN Spanish dollars and doubloons. The vessel
was destroyed BY fire, originating in the spirit
room, and supposed 10 have been set by an
CmissAry Of the insurgents, who had ntroduc-
ed himself on board. The specie was stored
near the magazine, and, in the exploso whic.I
ensued, was scattered GU, of the stern Of the
ship, like shot from gun. Many Of thc crew
pershed in the flames:
Attempts have been made from time TO Ii re
to recover the specie, but without much sue
cess. Last Fan some enterprsIng citizen Of
Gardiner fitted ont the the schooner LaHlar-
time, for thepurpose Of prosecuting the search
with yigor. She was provided with everything
deemed necessary to insure success; diving
bells, submarine armor, alr-pamPs, and stern
engine on deck to work the pumps, The crew
and officers numbered sixteen.
Having obtained permit from The existing
Government 10 engage IN the search, cOndl-
toned that per ccntagc oil money recovered
should 90 nlo 10 the Government T asury.
they proceeded TO the spot and commenced
operations. The wreck WAS fortunately found
with but little difficulty lying sixty feet in the
water, and IN spot quite favorable for opera
tions; bu the explosion OF the ships magazins
had 80 scattered the coin that no considerable
quantity of them remained together. Besides
they were buried to the depth Of six inches in
he sand which had 10 be scooped up and pas
scd through course sieve; making tho opert'
ton good deal ike California mining, W I'll
the additional disadvantage OF working in the
confined space OF diving bell, Ia ten h.homs
ot water Two person, made the decent at a
unp and beng supplied constantly with fresh
water, could remain down several hours with
out Inconvenience. When she space embrace
in the circumference of the bell had been rk-
cd out il was moved to another place, and in
this manner they examined the bottom all a.
round the wreck, IN all probably an acre Of
ground The money was found srewn pret.
ty equally over the bottom, generally bentand
, burr ed by the force of the explosion, ane in
some instances driven into the timber Of the
ship. We were shown cannon shot, to which
adhered a mass of shells and iron rust, having
couple ofdollafs imbedded in it,
Many interesting relies and curosties were
brought home, some of which we examined
A large pulley or block Of mahogany, three
feet long, having lignum vitae shcaves, hat
withstood the worms well, but supported I
pretty numerous collection of shell fish.
piece Of tarred rigging looked very fresh 90
There were a couple OF muskets, with their an
teque Spanish locks eaten up with rust.
leather dirk sheath, the blade n mere thread oI
rust within; also cannon shot, musket balls
chain shot, copper bolts; and all the usua
movable apparatus ofa ship of war Ant
there were, alas! some sad relics of humanity
the bodies of men who perished in the sh p
A cannon now on board the schooner, has thu
bones of mans forehead imbebded in thC
rust.
They were commencing to work upon The
ship itself, intending to make athor2ugh search
when the existing war compelled them to a
bandOn the enterprise and return home H.
formation had given that seizure Of theiI
gains was intended, TO furnish funds to one o.
The contendjng parties
OF the amount obtained by the expedition
we connot speak by authority. We guess it is
considerable. Well credited report says the
l.. a. I 1 4
to be moved without effort. We had occulal
evidence Of the existence of abont twenty iv,
dollars in a bag. kindly shown us by Messrs
Bradsreet at the store, Two Of he coin re
pose in our vest POCKET, and are to be seen by
our friends who may desire the sight thereof
They are blackened by the action Of the sal
water, and reduced in weight about twenty pc
{ cent. OF lhe geld, only a single douboon wa
, found"