Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-03
Is it Captain Kids Shin?

Up in the Highlands of the Hudson.
almost in the shadow of Dunderberg
mountain, and right under st. An
thongs Nose, is a tract of land and
stone comprising about fifteen acres,
circular in shape, called Round Island.
1t is tianked by Iona Island on the north
and on the south by Peekskill Bay;
which is the entrance to the historical
and picturesque Highlands. About
thirty.tive years ago this islaad was
bought by d. d. Chaplin, minera!o.
gist Of Phillipsburg, N j., for what
purpose nobody but himself knew or
appeared to care. The owner visited
the island frequently without any COM
panion, apparently prospecting or
making some secret survey. He kept
his own counsel, and fiEally went away.
About this time there was great excite.
ment occasioned in New York by the
public announcement that the spot
where Capt. Kidd's vessel was sunk
had been discovered in the Highlands.
The spot was located at the point of
Dunderbcrg mountain. A company
was organized in 1916, caisson was
sunk there, and work was begun. In
the course of months nothing was done
to reward the company for its labor.
Mr.. Chaplin had discouraged it's off,
GERS, and the whole thing was pro
nounced a huge swindle.
To discover the sunken vessel and
her treasure. Mr.. Chaplin at last con-
structed what he calls a mineral COM
pass. With the different needles he
claims that he can locate gold, silver,
copper, steel, iron and other metals.
About two years ago, after long alb
sence, he went to the island, which is
about three miles from Peekskill, and
remained there for several days. He
then went away and nothing more was
seen of him until last Thursday.
On that day strange schooner bear
ing the name Of Mary d. Leach, of
Philadelphia, dropped anchor just off
the eastern side of the island. She had
large crew. was we'll 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 the business of the
nounced in Peekskill that Capt Kidd's
wrecked vessel had been found. A Her.
aid reporter rowed out to the schooner
few hours later aud was met at the
gangway by Mr.. Chaplin and Charles +.
Pike, Superintendent of submarine
company. The vessel belongs to this
company and is operating under their
direction. Mr.. Pike said that the com.
pany had made a contract with Mr..
Chaplin, after careful investigation of
his plans, to search for Capt. Kidd s
vessel, which it was believed went on
the rocks at that point. The object was
of course to find the treasure it was
supposed to contain. They began their
souudings on Friday, and yesterday
we're rewarded by striking what is sup.
posed to be the hull OF vessel buried
seventeen feet under the mud, about
twenty five feet under the surface of the
water. Pieces OF the hull brought up
by the steam sounder soon crumbled to
powder when exposed to the air. The
surface of the wreck had been traced
twenty feet in length and eight feet in
width at the time the reporter visited
the spot.
"There is no mistake about its being
q vessel of some kind" said Mr.. Pike,
"but whethefor not it is Capt. Kidd 8
is subject for further determination"
How soon will you be able to raise
the wreck"
That depends upon its sizs and
shape. AS soon as we get it cleared of
we shall send diver down, and he can
tell pretty nearly what it is. I suppose
if We have good luck we shall know
what it is week from to-day"
How much gold do you suppose it
contains ?" Mr.. Chaplin asked.
- think" was the reply, that
there is at least 100000 in gold, and
more than that in silver"
Peter Cooper owns the west half of
Round Island, having purchased 1t
some years ago from Mr.. Chaplin. The
Brooklyn Bridge Company has bought
the stone at the south side, and is now
quarrying it for use on the, bridge,
about 500 feet from the scene of the
wreck.-NeW York Herald.