The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-23
OCEAN TREASURES.

A Grand WrecIsIpg Expe edItIon-story Of the
Loss ofthc san Pedro-E,sht Hundred Per-
and Precious stones, Mt the Bottom of
Cumana Bay. .s ~. -
The brig Nellie Gay, Captain Scandella, now
moored at Hoboken, which sails tomorrow for
New London and Providence to receive steam
dredging apparatus, will start May for the port
of Cumana, Venezuela. to work upon the old
wreck of the line ot-battle-ehlp San Pedro de
Alcantra, which sank in that harbor in 1915,
with very large amount of gold and silver on
board. The Nellie Gay is sent by the American
Submarine Company, of which General Am.
brose Burnside is President, and William M.
Bailey Vice-President.
In the middle of February, 1915, there sailed
from Cadiz, Spain, an expedition almost rival
ing, with its so vessels, the famous Armada
which more than three hundred years before
had set sail from the Tagns for the annihilation
for the complete subjugation of the young re-
publics of South America which were then
struggling to throw off the Spanish yoke. The
flagship of the squadron, the Don Pedro, had
on board the chests of the paymaster, contain
ing nearly $3,oO0,000 in Spanish
sealed orders. When General Morillo
arrived at the latitude of the Canary Islands the
orders were opened according to instructions,
and he ascertained that he was to proceed direct
to the coast of Venezuela. After experiencing
some very stormy weather, in which, however,
none of the vessels were lost, the fiotla came
windward of Carupano near the island of Mar
garete In Cumana Bay. 4. =.
On the eve of the departure, fire was dis
covered in the spiritroom of the Don Pedro
The flames spread very rapidly and were soon
seen streaming from the portfolios forward and
aft. The fire speedily reached the deck and
rendered the attempt to launch the boats ipef-
fectual AS the guns were all loaded, none of
the other vessels dared to approach, and while
the air was filed with the screams of the women
and children, the ships after magazine ex-
ploded. The whole stern of the San Pedro was
blown into the air and the vessel sank in ten
fathoms of water, with about 800 persons on
board, not one of whom was saved.
contract was granted to the American Sub
marine Company on November II, 1870, by the
| Venezuelan Government. The terms are con-
sidered very favorable. The company agrees to
| pay a royalty of seven per cent, and to MAIN
| tain fiscal agent on board. They are allowed
| to import their machinery free of all port or
| national duties. The brig Nellie Gay was pur-
| chased and she is now taking In coal at the Ho-
| boken docks for the purpose of working the
machinery to be put on board at Providence.
of about 200 tons burden. She was built at Mill
| bridge, Me-, in 1885, and rated last April ALI
The cabin is aft and is 36 feet long, furnishing
| ample accommodations for the officers and
divers. The 'midshp section is clear, and is
intended for the engines and boilers, which
reaches @ IS e Cnmaua. f'''i Fhe forecastie castle 'is is
fitted up for the reception of the crew,
| vessel are Charles Scandella, captains George
| w. Fuller, superintendent of the expedition;
| w. M Greene, financial agent; William Higgins,
first mate; divers, 8 engineers, and seamen.
Her machinery will be of the most improved
| order, and will consist of steam dredging, div
| ing apparatus, and air pumps. She will also
| have on board steam-tender, 35 feet long
Altogether, the expedition will cost about
| $50,O00. After receiving her machinory she
will return to New York to clear from the Ven
ezuelan Consul at this port. She will ther
| touch at Laguayra, on the Venezuelan coast
to take on board the fiscal agent before going tc
| the scene of operations. The divers expect tC
| be at work by the last of May.