Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-06-30
THE CUMBERLAND.
Down I'm the Wreck-The Safe Recovered,
ana Detroit Firm Largely Interested In
its Contents.
From the Detroit Tribune.

its Contents.
From the Detroit Tribune
An associated Press telegram from
Norfolk, Va, which is published else
where, announces that the safe of the
United States frigate Cumberland,
which was sunk in Hampton Roads, has
been recovered.
In May, 1861, during the early part
OF the war of the rebellion, the officer
left in charge of the navy yard at Nor
folk, scuttled and burned all the vessels
there, including the Merrimac, except
ing the Pawnee and the United States
frigate Cumberland, preparatory to va
eating the place, these latter vessels be-
lug used to convey away the fugitives.
Although badly burned, the rebels, who,
after the destruction of the stores, etc..
took possession of the place, saved the
Merrimack, and in the course of time
she was by them metamor phosed into
the ironclad Virginia.
The Pawnee and Cumberland were
taken away in safety. On Saturday,
March 9Th, 1862, the Virginia quietly
moved down the Elizabeth River from
Norfolk, and soon bore down upon the
Cumberland with terrific effect The
side of the latter was crushed in. and
she sank in ffty-four feet of water.
with her flag still flying, and carrying
down with her the dead, dying, sick
and wounded. Her hull yet remains
there, and numerous attempts have
been made by divers to recover the
guns, treasure, etc., on board of her,
and the safe, which is said to have con-
tanned from $4,000 to 100000
in gold, became the leading OBJ
ject of the search. Numerous ap-
plications were made to the United
States Government to purchase the
hull and all its contents, bat all such
were for time positively refused.
Finally, however, several gentlemen
succeeded in purchasing the hull, the
government reserving to itself the right
to it's contents. It was estimated that
the copper, iron, anchors, chains, etc.,
would sufficiently remunerate whoever
might rescue them. Numerous ex-
petitions were fitted out and vast
amount of labor has since been per-
formed, but without any great results.
until now.
Some time since, MIR. John O'Connor,
chasing the wreck and all it's contents,
then been abandoned. Up to this time
it had apparently been demonstrated
that the safe could never be found; but
it is now surmised that few of the
divers who had been down there knew
thing or two, and wisely kept quiet.
Mr.. O'Connor did not succeed in his
enterprise, and early in March last Mr..
Hubbard Smith, of this city, who is very
well known for his enterprise, pluck
and perseverance, was engaged to visit
the locality by Messrs. 4. B. Human
& Co., the oil merchants, who imagined
that they would like to try their hand
on the famous old frigate. or rather
upon her contents. Mr.. Smith effected
a purchase for them from Mr. O'Connor,
and employing number of divers went
at the work with his customary energy.
He remained there two months, and
finally abandoned the matter, so far as
his experimenting the operations is
concerned.
He, however, effected arrangements
with Messrs. Maltby & Brown, wreck
ing firm of Norfolk, Va, to pursue the
uAOCA u<SAAl1So LII a COA o6sAA pol CCAU-
age Of whatever profits might be real
lied. The success that has attended
their efforts is announced by telegraph.
They have recovered the safe, but how
much gold it contains is not known.
The Brewing Business.
At the Brewers Congress, held last
week in Cincinnati, statistics were pro-
el, 10