Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-09-17
Thirty-seven Millions.
SEARCH FOR sUNKEN MoSEY-THE LOST
SPANISH GAILEoNS.


SPANISH GALLONS.
The project of requiring the treasure
sunk with the Spanish galleons in l702 in
the harbor OF Vigo, Spain, is prominently
before The public, and a company is being
promoted for the purpose OF carrying it
into effect. 1t is proposed that the capi-
tai stock the company shall amount 10
$3.50 900 in 800 shares of 500 each. A
concession has been granted by the Span
ish Government TO recover the treasure,
and some weight il given to the project by
the circum stances that Mr.. John +. Cow
en-, civil eng g,necr, who successfully raised
the Russian fleet which was sunk in the
harbor ui Sebastopol during the Crimean
war, reports fayorably as to its feasibility.
There seems TO be no doubt mt all as to
the actual existence of the treasure, for
the statements a. to the sink ing of the
galleons and the freight which they con-
tanned are well authenticated by historical
records. The treasure which Spain drew
from its American possession was always
regarded rs of the greatest Importance for
r".r~S"s nf r..li.' vhen rhr country WAS
pressed by wars or other emergencies. and
the custom was 10 import 1t annually In
vessels which were especially constructed
for the purpose and which were known as
the treasure galleons. This treasure took
the form OF gold and silver, both In bars
and in coins, and of precious stones of va
rious kinds. After l69S the annual impor-
.ation ceased for some years, as the war
which was then going on between Spain
aud France on the one side aud England
and Holland on the other, rendered the
galleons liable to be interrupted by the An
glo Dutch feet. The requirements OF
Spain, however, became so pressing that Il
shpmate from the Spanish American po rt
WAS determined upon at all hazards, and
Spain applied to the French government
for fleet OF French war vessels to act as a
convoy and protect the Spanish galleons.
The French Government entered into the
arrangement, and in 1902 a fleet OF gal
Icons consisting it is stated by some at
thorities OF some twenty-three vessels of
from 400 10 600 tons each sailed from the
Spanish American ports, for Cadiz, the
convoy consisting of the Spanish fleets,
the number OF the French alone being
twenty-tnree line-of battle ships. The En-
glsh Cover nment was apprised of the
shipment, and dispatched an Anglo Dutch
fleet To the Spanish coast, with the view of
inte-cepting the treasure-laden galleons
and securing so rich prize. The galleons
and the convoy were advised of the nten-
ton to intercept them, and 50 with the
view OF avoiding the intercepting fleet,
sailed for the harbor of Vigo, where they
arrived on the 22nd of September, 1902.
When the galleons and conveying fleet en-
tered the harbor they proceeded to in
crease their security by barrcading the
entrance to the inner bay with stockade
of boom, and so protected they deemed
themselves secure from any attack by the
hostile fleet. Certain representations
made by the officials Of Cadiz to the au-
thorities at Madrid, interfered with the
landing of the treasure, and it remained
still on board the galleons, with the ex
ception of a few small parcels, when the
Anglo-Dutch fleet which had a large force
on board, appeared Off the harbor of Vigo
on the 2lst of October, l702. On the iol-
lowing morning they entered and con-
menced their attack. They landed con-
siderable force, attacked the defenses,
which had been erected and succeeded in
entering the inner bay. There was now
probability of losing the treasure, and, ac-
cordingly, the Spaniards in order to pre-
vent it falling into the hands of the enemy
proceeded TO burn the galleons. The An
glo- Dntch fleet captured nine of them, but
the rest were sunk with all the treasure
which they had on board. OF those which
were taken three were subsequently lost,
the Dutch being obliged to abandon two
whicn were burning, and the English los
ing the richest Salleon of them all, the
prize Of the frigate Monmouth. This gall
leon was lost by striking on rock, when
proceeding out through the entrance of
the harbOr, The galleons sunk in the har-
Dor. it appears, remained there up to the
present time, with all the treasures on
board, and the company which is being
promoted, having got concession from
the SPANS Government to acquire the
! treasure, seem to be very earnest in the.
matter.