The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-05-08
SEEKING SUNKEN MONEY.
HUNTING FOR GOLD BURIED IN THE ATTAIN
TIC--ISQUIRING ABOUT SOME WRECK
ED TREASURE SHIPS NEAR CAPE
HENLOPEN.

LEwEs, Del, April 2S.-The curiosity
of the people here has been aroused with
in few days by the unusual doings of
three men, uncommunicative as to who
they are, who have been making inquir-
les into the wrecks which have occurred
IN former years. This has set going
again the old stories of the gold buried
in the Atlantic, just outside Cape Hen
lopen. The object of the inquiry, SO far
as can be learned, is to ascertain the
probability Of recovering the riches that
have been lost from wrecked treasure
ships III revolutionary days. In giving
the cause of this action, one of them says
that last summer, while at Rehoboth
Beach, he received information that a
great amount of treasure had gone down
with ill-fated ships upon the dangerous
strip of coast between Cape Henlopen
and Rehoboth, and this, with evidence
cess, has led him to make this trip. One
OF the party is man who has consider
able knowledge of civil engineering and
much practiced skill in raising sunken
vessels. and another diver, who, a year
or two ago, was in the government EN-
ploy. 1t has been a great many years
since the wrecks in question occurred,
and no doubt by this time the vessels are
covered up by the constantly changing
channels, with nothing visible to mark
their resting place. 1t has been said
that the Delaware sea. coast undergoes
more changes than any other ocean shore.
South of Cape Henlopen the waves of
the Atlantic now roll over spots where
once large islands, covered with woods,
were to be seen, and where ships once
could easily sail there are now shoals,
rapidly becoming islands. These freaks
on the part of nature make it doubtful if
The adventurers will ever set eyes on the
sunken riches. But while it may be true,
and ii very likely is, that the money is
beyond human reach, the fact that it lies
there cannot be gainsaid. It's existence
/ is proved by history and recent events.
! One of the most prominent cases that
can be cited to this effect is the story of
she French ship De Brock. The De
Brock was an armed ship commanded by
a young American named James Drew,
but manned by French crew. She did
excellent service during the early part of
! the ravnlntinrarv uGr-anl made several
captures. About the third or fourth
| year of the war she conveyed a large
| quantity of gold coin and arms from
/ France TO America, the arms being for
the colonial forces and the money secret
| ly loaned to the colonies. She was chas-
ed by several English frigates, but reach
ed her destination in Synepuxette Bay,
near where is now situated Ocean CITY,
| Nd. The money and munitions of war
were landed and conveyed in wagons up
| the peninsula to Wilmington, under the
| escort of company of Delaware Militia
commanded by Col. David Hall, accom-
panied by body Of French soldiers,
who came over on the De Brock. When
Wilmington was reached the arms were
disposed of according to orders, and the
money was stored away in the cellar Of
house which was occupied by the French
officers. The Frenohmen remained in
Wilmington all winter, and just as they
were preparing to go away in the spring,
the house in which the money was con
cealed was entered in the dead of night
and the whole amount was taken. There
was DO clue to the robbers, and no at
tempt was made to arrest any one
CLANCY Glow, one of the most noted
tories and guerrillas of the revolution,
who made his home in Delaware, was
suspected of being the principal in the
robbery. Glow was a bold and heart
less rutfian, and his reckless doinps and
aair breadth escapes still live in tradition.
tie was hanged for murder at the close
Of The year.
The De Brock, after waiting in Syne-
2uXette Bay nntil her English pursuers
vent away, stood out to sea, and in the
'ourse of few days captured two Eng
ish prize ships, which were loaded with
valuable cargo and large amount of
'oln. She then set sail for Lewes to
axe on supplies. When nearing the
mouth Of the bay Capt. Drew committed
he ship into the bands of Andrew Allen.
me of the best pilots about Lewes in
hose days. He had her topsails furled
nd clew-lines hauled, for stiff wind
ras blowing at the time. Drew, full of
ranity and. it is said, also full OF liquor,
lad all her sails set again as she was
! preparing to round the cape, despite
Aliens remonstrance, aud she oapsized,
llied and went down, taking to the bot
ow with her the two prizes and the gold
hey carried in their holds. Some Of the
rev succeeded IN getting into one of the
boats, and many Of the drowning men
4 wan to it, only to have their fingers or
/ hands cut off with knives and swords. as
. hey caught hold of the gunwales of tie
y 'oat and endeavored to Chamber in, and
! hus were left to the mercy of the waves.
: cry few reached the shore alive. Drew
s vas washed ashore lifeless, and is buried
e n the old Episcopal church yard with q
/ monument above him, the inscription
l. apon which relates how he died. Allen
a survived, and from him the story of the
e Untold wealth that went to tne bottom
n With the De Brock has been handed
lown from generation to generation. and
often related to the summer tou rist By
e he rough old wreckers with gusto that
.e S quite amazing. From this uraoL