Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-03

| 3lst ult.
Our readers may remember that about
eighteen months ago an article appeared
in some of our most reliable papers
making known some important facts
1t stated that Captain Blank, an old and
well known explorer of our great river
ana its numerous tributaries, together
with the many bayous which travers and
intersect our State, had made some
interesting discoveries in regard to the
small islands dotted about here and
there in the river and shallow lakes Of
Southern Louisiana.
Many of these islands, it appears, are
formed over sunken vessels by the grad
ual collection of floating timbers, drift
wood and marsh grasses clinging around
the masts, spars and rigging until in
the course of years kind Of surface soil
is formed sufficiently firm to bear the
weight of trees of extraordinary size and
height, although they have in reality no
solid foundation, being in fact almost
floating islands, with, in many places
beneath them, twenty or thirty feet OF
clear water.
Among the most remarkable of the
islands noted and explored by Captain
Blank, are two not very remote from
this city, and well known to all steam
boatmen on the river. II seems that
Captain Blank, although so very enter
prising and energetic, is man quite ad-
vanced in years, being now in his sixty
ninth year. Having spent his life upon
the river since boyhood, he remembered
that about forty years ago a fine vessel,
hailing from Bordeaux, and laden with
the best French wines, champagnes, cor
dials, ETC., was sunk at or near the spot
where one of these islands, which had
then no existence, now stands. This
vessel with her cargo was owned by par
ties in France, but was consigned to the
care of well-known house in New Or
leans, which exists still. W
Captain Blank conceived the idea that
this valuable cargo might be rescued
from its watery bed by means OF diving
bells, and consequently he employed
several experienced divers to examine
the wreck and report whether it was pos
sible to reach the hull of this long-sun-
ken vessel.
The divers made a thorough examina-
ton and reported the plan practicable
but very expensive. Captain Blank ap-
piled to the house to whom the vessel
had been originally consigned aud show
ed the report of the divers. This enter
prising house, knowing that vast for
tune would reward them if the under
taking was successful, willingly assisted
the Captain with men and means to
work out his apparently wild specula-
ton; and the result has proved that
wonders will never cease; for at last,
after more than one year from the time
the enterprise was begun, Captain Blank
has really succeeded in raising at least
one-half of the valuable cargo, which
has been sweetening and mellowing be-
meath the Father of Waters for nearly
half century.
We are informed by Captain Blank
that upon the raising of the first barrel
from its Shiny bed, completely encrusted
as it was, with minute barnacles, nothing
could exceed the yells and hurrahs OF
the workmen, who, throwing up work,
demanded that this barrel should be i'm
mediately opened Their wishes being
complied with, the health of the enter
prising old Captain was drank amid
deafening cheers, and but little work
was accomplished until that barrel was
finished.
We have bottle of the precious elixir
before us, and only wish it were in our
power to do justice to this exquisite
life-giving beverage; but to do so, would
require the tongue of Browning, or a
Tennyson, or a Longfellow. We can do
more, however; we can tell our readers
where they can obtain taste of this
liquor equal to the ambrosia slipped by
the gods.
The most remarkable part of Captain
Blanks discoveries remains to be told,
and some of our readers may be in
clined to doubt the truth of these state
ments, but we can assure them that we |
have these facts from parties who can
vouch for their truth.
During his researches among the sew
eral bayous of Southern Louisiana, he
an island about five miles |
below what is known as the "0ld Forts,
and in the bed of what is termed by |
steamboatmen "0ld River" This old |
river was once the natural bed of the
but it cut through narrow
neck of land, and formed another outlet.
In this stream Captain Blank noticed an
island, which he felt convinced was
formed over some wreck. On one side
it seemed to iut over deep water, while
on the other hand it had nearly reached
the main land. He made a careful ex-
of this island, and the more
he explored it the more certain he felt
that it was superficial, or that some sort
of craft lay beneath it, but of date so
ancient that no man could tell, for trees
1T least three hundred years old were
growing upon it. One day while wan
iering over it, he discovered beneath the
marsh grass something that looked like
he bow of boat. He carefully cut
away the long tough grass, and we may
udge his surprise when he actually
made out the bow Of boat, apparently
n excellent preservation. II was strong
y built and copper bound, and was an
craft. 1t seemed to rest
lpon its stern, which was entirly covered
~ the soil, which had accumulated over
t, while the roots of an immense tree
'eneath the bow were lifting it from its
,ed.
What vessel was this of such ancient
late that trees three hundred years old
we're growing over and around, and up
ooted It from its watery bed? Who nav
gated these streams three hundred years
go in vessels Of that shape, and size,
md buildg Not the natives; for their
rail barks would scarcely last ss many
weeks. To what nationality did this
,oat bslong7 a.r--
These queries ran in Captain Blanks ,
mind until he determined, few months I
ince, TO excavate this ancient craft, or !