The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-10-10
The British Man-of-War Hussar.

Search 10r nearly TWO millions oi treasurc
lost when the British man.of.war Hussar
was sunk in He'll Gate, by striking against
Pot Rock, in revolutionary times, has been
for some time going on by company
formed in 1850, and called the Worcester
Hussar Company" the leading parties who
have invested capital in the enterprise,
being capitalists Of Worcester. At the time
the Hussar sunk she had on board about 10
American prisoners Of war, which she was
conveying to Newport, the prison ships at
New York being full to overaowing. After
an explanation of newly invented sub-ma-
rine armor used on this occasion, the d. y.
Times says:
A large variety Of articles, like those al
ready enumerated, have been brought up
from the wreck by the preeent Company
The human bones found have been princi-
pally disjointed sections of the human skcle-
ton. Connected with the lower bones of II
large number of arms, have been found
manacles, and showing, evidently, that
part, il not all the American prisoners on
board, were manacled and chained. A few
days since an entire skeleton, the first whole
one discovered, was found. Singular as it
may appear, the head of this skeleton still
contained portion Of brains. A chain was
connected with manacle on the right wrist
bone of this skeleton. As for the amount
OF money thus flr recovered, the Company
do not name the sum, though there can DO
little doubt they are making 1t q paying
enterprise.
Nineteen gold guineas, taken out few
days since, were shown our reporter. These
were all Of them in perfect condition. A
piece was shown of three guineas, crown
ard half crown, found in one solid lump.
The silver was in the centre, and by coming
in contact with the gold, sort of galvanic
battery action had taken place, making the
whole compact mass. The effect upon va
rious other metals and substances by their
long submersion under water is worth mo-
ting. Copper and lead is not changed;
wrought iron loses in quantity, but retains
in quality; with cast-iron 1t is just the re-
verse, it retains its entire bulk but dimin-
ishes nearly one-third in weight. Wood
shows the dcprcdations of worms. Cocoa
nut shell drinking-cups look as sound as
fresh ones. But it is not for these tribes or
to note the changes upon the different arti-
cles submerged, that the present company
have thus far pursued and continue pursu-
ing their work. Money-thc recovery OF
81 SOC, ,OOO-is their sole aim and pursuit.
The chief difficulty thus far encountered, is
represented as being the trouble of getting
away the decks and timbcrs Of the vessel so
as to gain access to tho hold. This difficulty
is stated as now nearly removed, 50 that it
is expected that what remains Of the trea-
sure uncovered will shortly be removed
The whole time Of actual exploration varies
from one to three hours day, and this dur
ing but FIVE months Of the year. 1t is owing
to tho peculiar situation of the vessel and
tho violent tides here that no more time
could bc expended in the search. The CON-
pany claim that the ship has been aban-
doned by the British Government, and that
they arc entitled to oil they may recover
from the wreck. 1t is hardly to be pre-
sumed that their claim will be disputed. Ii
enterprise and perseverance are entitled to
any reward, the present company richly
merit all that they may gain from their pro-
tncted labors.