The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-12
THE HUSSAR'S MILLIONS.
Why They Have Not Been FOund-The Money
Removed Before the Vessel Sunk.

Removed Before the Vessel Sunk.
New York World.
Mr.. E. R, Lowe, the well-known submarine
engineer, was asked by a reporter if the wreck
of the English frigate Hussar, which is said to
have sunk off Port Morris about one hundred
years ago, having on board So, 900, 900 in gold,
could be raised at this late day.
"The Hussar treasure story" said he, 'is an
old, old tale. When | was a boy | heard of it,
and, to my knowledge. they have been working
at it forthe last thirty years. The Hussar is said
to have struck on Pot Rock and been run ashore
at Port Morris. Hawsers were attached to her
and fastened to neighboring trees, and for a time
it was hoped that her damage could be repaired,
but she slipped her cables and sank. Now it is
more than likely that the officers untitled their
spare time in getting off the treasure and housing
it safely on shore instead of risking it in a sink
ing ship.
matter, and | met an old gentleman who was the
first diver who ever came to this country from
England. He was very much interested in the
Hussar, and he told me that he had looked up
the records in England. From what he could
learn there he was satisfied that the money was
all, or nearly so, taken out before she sank. The
Hussar is a Captain Kidd story, L think.
Il was asked to take part in the present en-
terprise in 1867. l went to the place and was
surprised. They had no tools, and | frankly
told them that it was worse than useless to go
on in that way"
HAS anybody else worked at itF7
Eyes. 1 believe so. A certain Captain Pratt,
from Worcester, Mass, got the insane idea that
he could make a fortune, and worked seven years
and then gave it up. Some persons say that he
made money by the operation, but [ don't believe
that he and his party could have recovered any
very large amount. If they had, it would have
been given out before now. On the whole, they
have been working in the neighborhood of the
wreck for more than thirty years, and if they
took my advice they would shake the job. But
it seems that these treasure hunters never get
tired"
tIPu+ +his comnanv nronosas IN Give tba TTn;+ad
States government 10 per cent. of the find, and
that, modestly placed, amounts to half a mill
ion"
That's So" said Mr.. Lowe. 81 didn't think of
that. I'll tell you what we will do-you and l
will sign a contract, as citizens of this country,
relinquishing our share of the proceeds-we1l
give it to the poor"
Now, there is one thing" he continued, ''that
the public do not know, and as l have been a
diver for the past twenty-five years lean afford
to tellit. In our waters we have a species of
bore worm, a sort of parasite, with what you
might call a patent bit mouth. These animals,
by a peculiar cork-screw action, can bore IA hole
through six-inch pine in a few years. / am sure
that seven years after the Hussar went to the
bottom all that partof her that was notimbedded
in the mud was hOneycombed completely, and,
mind you, the Hussar never shifted an inch
after she sank. So there is little of her to ex-
anime"
''Wha would be the best way in which to de-
eide whether there is treasure buried in the
Hussar or notF
THAT could be easily done. I am ready to
make a contract to raise any frigate of the Hus-
sars size within two years, or l will raise the
Hussar, keel and all, inside of a year if they
choose to make a contract. There are others be-
sides myself who will do the same. Idon't want
any of the treasure, but l must be paid for the
work"
"Do you know Of any great treasures that
were reclaimed from the scar
"lf my memory serves mo right there are