Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-09
Is IT CAPT. KIDD's SHIP.
A DISCOVERY THAT HAS SET THE lNlIAB-
ITANTS OF PEEKSKILL ALL AG0G.

Mountain and right under st. Anthonys
Nose, is tract Of land and stone com
prising about fifteen acres, circular in
shape, called Round Island. It is thanked
by Iona Island on the north and on the
south by. Peekskill Bay, whicil is the
entrance to the historical and pfctu
rescue Highlands. About thirty-fve
years ago this island was -bonght by
d. d. Chaplin, mineralogist@ OF Phil
lipsburg, N. j., for what purpose no
body but himself knew or appeared to
care.
The owner visited the island frequent
~ without any companion, apparently
prospecting or making some secret sur
yey. He kept his own counsel and
finally went away. About this time
thore was great excitement occasioned
in New York by the public announce
ment that the spot where Capt. Kidds
vessel was sunk had been discovered in
the Highlands. The spot was located
at the point of Dundorberg Mountain.
A company was organized in 1916, q
caisson was sunk there and work was
begun. In the course Of months nothing
was found to reward the company for
its labor. Mr. Chaplnlhad discouraged
its officers and the whole thing was pro-
nounced a huge swindle. ..fgs 81
To discover the sunken vessel and the
treasure, Mr.. Chaplin at last constructed
what no calls u mineral compass. With
the different needles he claims that he
can locate gold, silver, copper, steel,
iron and other metals. About two years
ago, after long absence, he went to
the island, which is about three miles
from Peckskili, and remained there for
several days. He then went away and
nothing more was seeh Of him until
Lash Thursday. s. E@ n " T't@rls.
On that day u strange schooner bear
ing the name Of Mary d. Leach, Of
Philadelphia, dropped anchor just of
the east side of the island. She had a
large crew, was well supplied With all
kinds of machinery, pumps, powerful
boilers and everything that indicated a
well planned expedition of some sort.
Mr.. Chaplin was seen moving around
the deck but to inquiries as to the
schooner's business no satisfaction was
given. Yesterday tho business Of the
schooner was made known 1t was an
nounced in Peckskill that Capt, Kidd's
wrecked vessel had been found. A New
York Herald reporter rowed out to the
schooner few hours later and was met
at the gangway by Mr.. Chaplin and
Charles F. Pike, superintendent Of a
submarine company. The vessel belongs
to this company and is operating under
their direction. Mr.. Pike said, the
company had make u contract with Mr.,
Chaplin, after careful Investigation Of
his plans, to search for Captain Kidfs
p. ID
vessel, which 1t was believed went on
the rocks at that point. r., - s,a a Va
The object was, Of course, to find the
treasure it was supposed to contain.
They began their soundings on Friday,
and yesterday were rewarded by strik-
ing what is supposed to be the hull of
q vessel buried seventeen feet under the
mud and about twenty-five feet rader
the surface of the water. Pieces of the
hull brought up by the steam sounder
soon crumbled topowder when exposed
to the air. The surface of the wreck
has been traced twenty-five feet in
width at the time the reporter visited
the spot. aI -
"Therc is no mistake about its being
q vessel of some kind" said Mr.. Pike,
but whether or not it is Capt. Kidd's is
subject for further determinations"
'How soon will you be able to raise
the wreckw .........
"That depends upon it's size and shape.
As soon as we get it cleared off we shall
send diver down, and he can tell prot
ty nearly what it is. ! suppose, if we
have good luck we shall know what it
is week from to dap" r..'.,
"How much gold do you think it con-
tains ?" Mr.. Chaplin was asked.
II thiuk," was the reply, Chat there
is at least 100000 in gold, and more
than that in silver. e ~ - ~ go
Peter Cooper OWNS the west half Of
Round Island, having purchased it some
years ago from Mr.. Chaplin. The Brook
Ign Bridge Company has bought the
stone at the south side, and is now
guarrying it for use on the bridge about
600 feet from the wreck.