Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-06-23
Successful Attempt to Recover Valu.
ableS Sunk Two Centuries since.
From the Pail Mall Gazette, May 10.


The attempt to recover the treasures sunk
in Vigo Bay more than $50 years ago is
turning out successful After nineteen days
search made with diving bells, fifteen gal
Icons are reported to have been found lying
at depth of few hundred feet. and on
knocking hole into the side OF the Ami-
rante some lngots, plate, and valuable arms
were found by the divers. However, fur
Their researches have been suspended tor
the moment, until the Custom House au-
thoritleS shall have conceded safe place
to deposit the treasure. The Almirante
and her consorts We're sent to the bottom
during the war of Spanish success
sion, and have remained immersed
in the port of poverty stricken
nation daring the whole time of the
Bourbon occupation. Hardly had Queen
Isabella been driven from the throne than
a Spanish banker, long settled in Paris,
made overtures to the government at Mad
rid, and on condition OF handing over near
ly half The treasure in case of success, NJ.
Periere received permission TO look for the
sunken ingots, As the galleons have been
lying at the bottom since the year 1902,
them from large accumulation of sand:
but letters from Spain say that this part OF
the task has been accomplished, A French
account of the Vigo affair says that Count
Chateau-Renault was ordered to escort the
Indian feet returning from Vera Cruz, when
it was chased by $50 Dutch and English
vessels. Chateau-Renault wished to run in.
to French port, but the Spanish Admiral,
Don Manuel de Velasco, obstinately re.
fused, Hence the Vigo disaster, which
surpassed that of the Hague, eighteen
French vessels and twenty. eight galleons,
laden with wealth, were taken or destroyed,
and there was hardly time, through the
energy of the French Captain, to send o
few millions ashore. Lord Mahon, whose
version is somewhat different dwells al
some length on the circumstances attend.
ing this affair. He says that our fleet was
on its way back to England when the Duke
of Ormond received intelligence that the
treasure ships had gone into Vlgo to avoid
him. The cargo was said to consist o.
SO, 900, 600, besides much valuable mer
chandise. The English and Dutch Adj
mrals and Generals resolved on the
action. The Spaniards might have
saved their treasure by landing it, bu
there was a fundamental law agains'
galeons unloading anywhere but a
Cadiz, and the Chamber Of Commerce re-
fused, on application being made to it, tC
bate one jot of its privilege. The matter
had to be referred to the Council of India
and that body deliberated just day toe
long Chateau Renault and Don Manue
threw up a few feeble defences at tn,
mouth of the harbor, but the English
ships broke through the boom thrown
across the entrance, and Ormond and hi
soldiers stormed the forts. The French
burned their ships and made their escape
ashore. The conquerors shared some mil
lions of dollars, and some more millions
were sunk. According to Lafuente thu
doubloons got on shore through Gallo
energy, were soon captured, and 'immens,
riches in gold, silver and precious mer
chandise disappeared under the waves.
We shall soon know what amount 0
wealth has been ~. IDLE in so unaccount
able manner since 17Q2.