The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-11-15
sunken Treasures

another attempt is about to be made according
to the New York Times, to recover some OF the
tempting freight which went down with the San
Pedro Alcantara in 1915 This treasure-huntlng
expedition is now being organized IN tins city, and
is expected to start from here in November
The story has many times been tolu hcF. III the
year mentioned during the reign of Fernando Vii,
of Spain, the mighty threedeck man-ot-war San
Pedro Acantara was dispatched from Spain as the
convoy of number of prOvislon-laden vessels des-
tined for the supply of the feet then in the Carlb
bean Sea engaged in subugating to the Spanish
rule the States on the Spanish main. Thirteen
hundred men, recruits for the navy and the land
forces, were board and i'll the treasure chests
were 50 900, 900 in silver
Arriving at Laguayra, Venezuela revolution
in progress, and the so-called Spanish citizens
of Caracas transferred their gold and gems to the
man-of war, the former amounting to over mi
lion of dollars and the jewels being of great value
The churches OF Venezuela added their treasures
heavy chests filled with gold and silver altar plate,
dc The revolted towns of ASuncion, Pompatar.
Paramar and Norte on the island of Margarlto,
were then pundered by order of the Commander
OF the man -of-war, and reduced to ashes. After
their wealth had been carried on board the vessel
the exutation OF the soldiers and sailors board
found expression in revel A fire was discovered.
the boats were inadequ quate, an explosion followed,
and the enormous amount Of treasure went to the
bottom of the sea, and thousand human souls
with it.
In 1876, Captain Goodrich. Of Newburyport,
Mass. visited the scene of the wreck. one mile
from the Island of Cuayna and succeeded in secur
ing about $50 900 in silver In lol3 Company
was organized in Baltimore to seek the lost treas
ure Owing to a lack Of proper diving apparatus
that attempt proved failure The company,
few months later. sent out another expedition In
six months about e2OOOO0 Ill silver com was re
covered. Then the major portion of the divers
and crew, having surreptitlously possessed them
selves Of such portions OF the treasure as they
could secrete. stole boat, and, laden with the
silver, set sale for Laguayra but they were arrest
ed by Mr., Royal Phelps, then acting Consul at that
port. The remainder Of the party returned to Bad
timore
lu the subsequent year the Company sent the
same brig back 10 resume operations, with a new
set Of divers. The CompanyS agent insisted upon
the divers being searched after each descent They
would not submit to that indignity. so the brig
Francis Emma had to return home again without
any thing at all having been accomplished In
. 1919 some other parties sent the American bark
Emily Bannon to the wreck and her crew rrcov
cred several thousand dollars i'll silver In 1870
Captain Nicholas Town recovered S2S.OOO. In 1898
Captain Whpple found S3O0Oo. y few years tatcr
search was made by a treasure seeking Company
formed in Providence, but their explorations were
unsuccessful
On April last Captain /, H. Folingsby went from
San Francisco to Venezuela to obtain 'IorcruM"n
al permission to search for the lost millions of san
Pedro Alcantarl, all previous permits to that effect
having expired by limitation He was successful
in affecting contract with the Venezuelan Coy
ernlnent whereby, in consideration Of the payment
OF five per cent on all sums he may recover Ar Is
granted the exclusive right to drag, drrdgc and
dive for the Sunken treasure for the period Of six
years Armed with his contract. Captain Fplngshy
arrived in New ork i'll the latter part of july.
and has SINCE been quietly perttctm- here the 4
ganization Of an expedition for the thorough and
exhaustive exploration of all the ocean he'd over
which the treasure might have been scattered by
the explosion which destroyed the San Pedro Al
cantara. He has had extensive experience as a
Al. IL. Il