Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-05
Is IT CAPTAIN KIDD's SHIP
A Discovery that has Set the
Inhabitants OF Peekskin
All AgOg.

New York Heraid.l
Up 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 Is
land. 1t is Aanked BY Iona Island on
the north, and on the south by Peck.
skill bay, which is the entrance to the
historical aud picturesque highlands.
About thirty five years ago this island
was bought by d. d. Chaplin, a miner
slogist Of Philipsburg, New Jersey,
for what purpose nobody but himself
knew OF appeared to care.
The owner visited the island fire.
quently without any companion, APP
parently prospecting or making some
secret survey. He kept his own
counsel, and finally went away. About
this time there was great excitement
oocasiOne1 in New York By the pub
lie announcement that the spot where
Captain Kids vessel was sunk had
been discovered in the highlands. The
spot was located at the point OF Dun
derbeTg mountain. A company was
organized in 1916 a c~aisson was sunk
there and work was begun. In the
course Of months nothing was found
to reward the company for his labor.
Mr.. Chaplin had dis jouraged its Off
GERS, and the whole thing was pro-
nounced a huge swindle.
10 discover the. sunken vessel and
her treasure, MIR. 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 a 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 was seer
of him until last Thursday.
On that day a strange schooner,
bearing the name Mary D. Leach, Of
Philadelphia, dropped anchor Just off
the eastern side of the island. She
had a 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 in
Quirers as to the schooner's business
no satisfaction was given. Yesterday
the business of the schooner was made
known. 1t was announced in Peeks-
kill that Captain Kids wrecked
vessel had been found. A Herald re-
porter rowed out to the schooner a
few hours later, and was met at the
gangway by Mr.. Chaplin and Charles
f. Pike, superintendent of a subma-
rine company. The vessel belongs to
this company, and is operating under
their direction.
MIR. Pike said the company had
made a contract with Mr.. Chaplin,
after a careful investigation Of his
plans, to search for Captain Kids
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 sOundings by striking what is
supposed to be the hull Of a vessel
buried seventeen feet under the mud
and about twenty feet under the sur
face of the water. Pieces Of hull
brought up by the steam soundel
soon crumbled to powder when ex
posed to the air. The surface Of the
wreck had been traced twenty five
feet in length and eight feet in widtf
at the time the reporter visited the
spot.
There is no mistake about its beinl
a vessel Of some kind" said Mr.. Pike
but whether or not it is Captain
Kids is a subject for further deter,
mination."
How soon will you be able to rais'
the wreck?"
That depends upon its size ant
shape. AS soon as we get it cleane,
off we shall send a diver down, and h
can tell pretty nearly what it is.
suppose if we have good luck we shall
know what it is in a week iron
to-day"
How much gold do you think |
contains Mr.. Chaplin was asked.
Il think was the reply, tina
there is at least $780, 900 in gold, an,
more tnan that in silver"
Peter Cooper owns the west half G
Round island, having purchased
! some years ago from Mr.. Chaplin. TIL
; Brooklyn Bridge company have bough
the stone at the south side, and ar
> now q%uarrying it for use on the bridg
about five hundred ieet from the seer
of the wreck.