The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-09-27
The British Frigatc IIussar.


In the year 1880 a British frigate, the
iiussar, while on her way from New York
TO Newport, with some sixty or more Ame-
rican prisoners on board, and treasure TO the
value oi nearly two million dollars, intend
ed Tor the pay Of the troops, struck upon
Pot Rock, Hellgatc, and almost instantly
sunk. The crew were saved, but the upfor-
/ tunate prisoners went down in their chains.
! Several attempts have been made by tho
/ British Government and by individuals, TO
! recover the treasure from the wreck. but
| heretofore without rcmunerative results. A
company is at present, however, engaged In
the labor, with every prospect Of entire sue.
cess. From long article in the New York
Times, historical, descriptive and narrative,
We extract the following interesting summing
up of the results thus far Of the explora-
tons:
A large variety Of articles, like those al
ready enumerated, have been brought I'D
from the wreck by the present company.
The human bones found have been prnci-
paily disjointed sections Of the human skele.
ton. Connected with the lower bones of o
large number Of arms, have been found ma
naclcs, and showing, evidently. that a part
/! not all the American prisoners on board,
were nanacled and chained. A few days
since an entire skeleton, the first whole dis
covered, was found. Singular as it may ap-
pear, the head of this skeleton still contain.
ed portion of brains. A chain was con-
nected with manacle on the right wrist
bone Of this skeleton. AS for the amount Of
money thus far recovered, the company do
not name the sum, though there can be but
little doubt they are making it paying en-
terprise. Nineteen gold guineas, taken out
q lew days since, were shown our reporter.
These guincas bear dates from III to l77G,
They were all OF them in perfect condition.
\ piece was shown Of three guineas, a crown
and half crown found III 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, bv their
long subinersion under water, is worth no.
thing. Copper and lead are not changed;
wrought iron loses in quantity but retains
its quality; with cast iron it is Just the re-
verse, it retains its entire bulk, but diminish
es nearly one-third in weight Wood shows
the depreciation of worms. Cocoa nut shell
drinking cups look as sound as fresh ones.
But it is not for these triies or to note tue
changes upon the different articles submerg.
ed, that the present company have thus far
pursued and continue pursuing their work.
Morey-the recovery OF 81 500, 000-is their
sole ain and pursuit The chief difficulty
thus far encountered, is represented as being
the trouble Of getting away the decks and
timbers of the vessel so as to gain access to
the hold. This difficulty is stated as now
nearly removed. The whole time Of actual
exploration varies from one to three hours
day, and this during but five months Of the
year. Ii is owing to the peculiar situation
of the vessel and the violent tides here that
no more time could be expended in the
search. The company claim that the ship
has been abandoned by the British Govern
mcnt, and that they are entitled to all they
may recover from the wreck. 1t is hardly
TO be presumed that their claim will be dis.
putel. II enterprise and perseverance are
entitled to any reward, the present company
richly merit all that they may gain from their
iabors.