The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-02-14
How Sir VIM. phips Found the Treasure.

netuS uOU DeluR SuInclenJ 1Or Jn1S eX-
pedition, Phips sailed for England and
made direct application to the admiral
ty to aid him in his search. SO ably
did this true son of the sea represent
his cause, that he was given command
of the Rose Algier," q ship mounting
eighteen guns and carrying hundred
men.
The exact position of this wreck was
unknown, and the untrustworthy char
acter of the crew added great difficult
culties to the undertaking. 1t should
be remembered, also, that diving bells,
diving-armor, and the like, were then
unknown. But the courage and indom-
table 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 aft, 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 dis
patched him on the spot-a deed SO
prompt and daring that it awed the mu-
tineers 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 rar ridity of action and
unHinching nerve required where men
are shut mp alone on the wide ocean
with quarrel so deadly in its nature
that no compromise can be thought of
for 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 "Rose AL
gier," being in need of repairs, was
taken to a cove in small unnhabite1
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 pretext, and, having him in their
power, offered him the choice of instant
death or of joining his fortunes with
til ,irs. He begged for half an hour to
think about it, and said that Mt any rate
he should have to return on board for
his tool-chest. They granted his request,
and sent two men with linn to watch his
movements. Soon afterward, he was
suddenly taken with pretended cramp
or collie, and in great seeming agony
rushed into the cabin for medicine :
there he found Phips, and in few rapid
words 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 tones of thunder,
Phips bade them not to stir or he would
mow them down with his batteries noi
did they dare disobey. The bridge wat
again laid down, and the eight loyal mer
brought back the stores to the ship
When all was safely on board again, The
mntineers were told that they were to bt
left to the fate they had intended fol
their commander. In despair at SO ter
rlble a prospect, the miserable mer
threw down their arms, and protested
their willingness to submit if Phips
would but relent and not sail away with
out them. After long parley, he agreed
to let them come on board, they havine
first given up their arms. But, will
such crew, further search after the
treasure was useless. Phips, therefore
sailed for Jamaica, changed the crew
and again weighed anchor for Hispani
ola. There he was lucky enough to fine
an old Spaniard who told him that tn,
wreck was somewhere about a reef few
leagues north of Puerto de la Plata
Phips Immediately went to the spot
But his search for the wreck was Ion,
and unavailing, the season was changing
aud the Rose Algier," now about hal
manned and in unseaworthy condition
WAS unfit to prowl around dangerou
reef in hurricane season. So, withou
having accomplished the object of s.
much exertion and anxiety, Phips wa
obliged to return to England, battle,
but not discouraged man.
Very naturally, it was impossible fo
our adventurer to obtain another Eng
lish ship-of-war, although he receive,
much credit for the courage and ski
, shown in controlling the mutineers, an
! one would conclude that the treasure @
! the old Spanish galleon would after thi
have remained at the bottom of the ses
: the exclusive possession of the sharks
the turtles and the barracudas. Blu
: with rare pertinacity Phips returned t
the charge, and at last persuaded th
/ Duke of Albemarle and several othe
+ wealthy noblemen to his views. The
t formed company and obtained pa
, ent from James H., giving them til
+ sole right to all wrecked treasure the
l might find during a certain number {
3 years. Then they fitted ont ship an
tender, the latter to cruise in coves an
shoal water, and Phips invented sewers
rude contrivances for dragging and di,
ing, far inferior to the means now use
5 for such purposes. Thus prepared, h
A sailed once more for Hispaniola. Thel
t a small, stout boat was built, and wit
5 it and a crew of Indian divers the tende
t was dispatched to the reef where til
1 wreck was said to be. The tender We
3 anchored III good holding-ground at
a safe distance from the reef, and the me
e then rowed slowly in the boat around i
L carefully examining the depths belo
5 for signs of the wrecked galleon. Th
a waters in the West Indies are very clea
1 and during calm objects can be seen
a considerable depth. The rocks wer
of singular form. rising nearly to I'll
surface, but with sides so steep that an
( vessel striking them would be liable I
8 go down many fathoms below the reac
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