The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-02-07
Diving for Treasures.

The New York World says: ''Mr. E.
r. Lowe, the submarine erTineer, was
asked by 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
$4,000, 900 gold, could be raised at
this late day.
"'This Hussar treasure story said
he is an old tale. When l was boy l
heard of it, and to my knowledge they
have been working at it the last thirty
years. The Hussar is said to have
struck on Port Rock and been run
ashore at Port Morris. Hawsers were
attached to her and fastened to neigh
boring trees, and for time it was
hoped that her damage could be repair
ed, but she slipped her cables and sank.
Now it is more than likely that the
officers used their spare time in getting
off the treasure and housing it safely on
shore instead of risking it in a sinking
ship. About twenty years ago look
ed into the matter, and / met an old
gentleman who was the first diver who
ever came to this country from Eng
land. He was very much interested in
the Hussar, and he told me 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 Captain Kidd story, I
think. was asked to take part in the
present enterprise 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 it?'
"'Yes, believe so. A certain Cap
tain Pratt, from Winchester, Mass, got
the insane idea that he could make q
fortune, and worked seven years and
then gave it up. Some persons say that
he made money by the operation, but l
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
" Now there is one thing he con-
tinued, that the public do not know,
and as l have been diver for the past
twenty-five years | can afford to tell it.
In our waters we have a species of bore
worm, sort of parasite, with what you
may call patent bit mouth. These
animals, by peculiar cork-screw ac-
ton, can bore hole through six
inch plank in a few years. l am sure
that seven years after the Hussar went
ha oil hot Of baf
was not imbedded in the mud was
honeycombed completely, and, mind
you, the Hussar never shifted an inch
after she sank. 80 there is little left
| on her 10 examine.
What would be the best way in
which TO decide whether there is treas
ure buried in the Hussar or not?'
"'Ihat could easily be done. l am
ready TO make a contract to raise any
frigate of the Hussar's size within two
years, or will raise the Hussar, keel
and all, inside of year, if they choose
to make a contract There are others
besides myself who will do the same.
| don't want any of the treasure, but l
must be paid for the work
DO you know of any great treas
ures that were reclaimed from the
seap
"'H my memory serves me right
| there are three or four very clever
pieces of diving work recorded. The
steamer Golden Gate, on her way from
California to New York with about ST.
000,00 in gold, was wrecked some
where in the Pacific. 1t was during
the early days, and everybody was anx-
ious to get the wealth. There were
great difficulties met with in the shape
of heavy surf, but in spite of all about
$1,000, 900 was recovered. The steam
er George Lord, which sank off Halter
as with a large amount of gold, had
some of it brought back to terta tirma,
and Hattcras is u rough place.