New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-03-27
How Sir VIM. Phips Found the Treas.
ure in the Sea.

l.
ure in the Sea.
While at the Bahamas, Phips was told
of a Spanish vessel, wrecked off Puerto
Plata more than fifty years before, with
very large treasure. His means not being
sufficient for this expedition, Phips sailed
for England and made direct application
to the Admiralty to aid him in his search.
So ably did this true sou ST the sea repre-
sent his cause that he was given command
of the "Rose Algier," ship mounting
eighteen guns and carrying hundred
,anen
The exact position Of the wreck was not
known, and the untrustworthy character
so1 the crew added great difficulties to the
undertaking. 1t should be remembered,
also, that diving bells, diving armor, and
the like, were then unknown. But the
courage and 1ndomitable perseverance of
.Phips now came into play, and he had
capital chance to show the stuff of which
he was made.
Soon after they had sailed, the crew
came att, armed. and determined to force
Phips to yield to their wishes, which
probably were that they should all turn
pirates. Without giving them time to
deliberate, Phips flew at their leader,
hurled him to the deck and dispatched
him on the spot--a deed so prompt and
daring that it awed the mutineers into
submission for the time. One who has
never seen a mutiny at sea can form but
little idea Of it's desperate character, and
the rapidity of action and unhinching
nerve required where men are shut up
alone on tie wide ocean with quarrel SO
deadly IN its nature that no compromise
can be thought Of for a moment, and no
quarter can be allowed with safety to him
who gives it.
But the next plot to seize the ship was
even more dangerous. The s.Rose AIgier, >
being in need Of repairs, was taken to
cove in a small uninhabited island, and
careened on one side in order to reach
the damaged place. Most of the stores
were moved on shore, the ship was hove
down, and bridge was laid between the
deck and the land. Under the pretense
of pastime, most of the crew now betook
themselves to the woods, and there plotted
to return at seven in the evening, seize
the ship, force Phips and eight faithful
men on shore, leave them there to perish,
and themselves sail away on .piratical
cruise. But the carpenter was one of the
few who stood by the captain, and yet
they could not risk putting to sea without
him. They sent for him, therefore, on
some pertext, and having him in their
power, offered the choice of instant death
or Of joining his fortune to theirs. He
begged for half an hour to think about it,
and said that at any rate he should have
to return on board for his tool-chest.
They granted his request, and sent two
men with him to watch his movments.
Soon after, he was suddenly taken with a
pretended cramp or collie, and in great
seeming agony rushed into the cabin for
medicine; there he found Phips, and in a
few rapid word revealed the plot In
less than two hours the mutineers would
be marching on the ship. Not an instant
was to be lost.
Immediately the guns were loaded and
trained to command the shore and all
the approaches to the stores; the bridge
was taken in, and when the mutineers
appeared they found themselves caught.
In tone, Of thunder Phips babe them not
to stir or he would NOW them down with
his batteries; nor did they dare to DISC
hey. The bridge was again laid down,
and the eight loyal men brought back
the stores to, the ship. When all was
safely on board again, the mutineers
were told they we're to be left to the fate
they had intended for their commander.
In despair at so terrible prospect, the
miserable men threw down their arms.
and protested their Willingness to sub
NIT if Phips would but relent and not
sail away without them. After | no
parley, he agreed to, let them come on
board, they having first given up their
arms. But, with such crew, further
search after the treasure was useless.
Phips, therefore, sailed for Jamaica.
changed the crew, and again weighed
anchor for Hispaniola., There he was
lucky enough to find ai.old Spaniard who
told him that the wreck was somewhere
about a reef a few leagues north of Pucr
to de la Plata. Phips Immediately went
to the spot But his search for the wreck
was long and unavailing, the season was
changing, and the "Rose Algier," now
but half manned and in an unseaWorthy
condition conc was unfit to prowl around a
dangerous reef in the hurricane season.
So, without having accomplished the OBJ
ject OF so much exertion and anxiety. Phips
was obliged to return to England. a
baffled, but not discouraged man.
Very naturally, it was impcssibleltor our
adventurer to obtain another English
ship.of-war, although he received much
credit for the courage and skill shown in
controlling the mutineers, and one would
conclude that the treasure of the old