The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-29
DIVING FOR TREASURES.
Why the Hussar's miIiiens Have Never Been
Found.

The New York World OF Monday morn
ing says: Mr.. Il. r. Lowe, the submarine
engineer, was asked by a reporter vester
day II the English frigate Hussar, which 4
said to have sunk of Port Morris abou
one hundred years ago, having on board
So'oo0,OO0 In gold, could be raised at this
late day.
"'This Hussar treasure story said he
is an old, old tale. When was boy
heard OF 1t, and 10 my knowledge they have
been working at it for the last thirty years
The Hussar is said TO have struck on Poi
Rock and been run ashore at Port Morris
Hawsers were attached 10 her and fastened
to neighboring trees. and for time 1t was
hoped that her damage could be repaired
but she slipped her cables and sank
Now, II Is more than likely that the OF
ficeTs utilized their spare time in getting
of the treasure and housing IL safely
on shore instead Of rlsling 1t in sinking
ship. About twenty years ago / looked
! into the matter, and met an old gentle.
man VINO 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.
think. / was asked to take part in the
present enterprise in 1867. / went to the
place. and was surprised. They had no
tools, and / frankly told them that 1t was
worse than useless TO 60 on in that way
"' Has anybody else worked at it?'
"Yes, l believe so. A certain Captain
Pratt, from Worcester. Mass, got the in.
sane idea that he could make fortune, and
worked seven years and then gave II 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. IL 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 II they took my advice
they would shake the job. But it seems
that these treasure-hunters never get tired
But this company proposes to give
the United States Government ten per
cent. OF the find, and that, modes.ly
placed, amounts 10 half Million
"'That's sO,' said Mr.. Lowe. didn't
thinls Of that. I'll tell you what we will
do-you and / will sign a contract, as
citizens Of this country, relinqulshing our
share OF the proceeds-we'll give 1t to the
poor
{" Now, there is one thing he contin-
ued, that the public do not know, and, as
have been O diver for the past twenty
five years, can afford to tell it. In our
waters we have q species OF bore worm-a
sort Of parasite-with what YOU may call a
patent bit mouth. These animals, by a
peculiar cork-screw action, can bore hole
through six-inch pine in 4 few years. L
am sure that seven years after the Hussar
went to the bottom all that part of her that
was not imbedded in the mud was honey
combed completely, and, mind you, the
Hussar never shifted an inch after she
sank. So there is little left Of her TO eX-
anime
"What would be the best way in which
to decide whether there is treasure buried
in the Hussar or not?'
"'That could easily be done. / 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
wear If they choose TO make a contract.
There are others beside myself who will
do the same. | don't want any OF the
treasure, but must be paid for the
work.
WDo you know Of any great treasures
that were reclai med from the seai'
"' II 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 Califor-
mia to New York with about S2,000,0O0 in
gold, was wrecked somewhere in the Pa
cifc. 1t was during the early gold days,
and everybody was anxious to get the
wealth. There were great difficulties met
with in the shape OF heavy surf, but in
spite Of all about 81 500, 600 was recovered.
The steamer George Lord, which sank of
Hatteras with large amount Of gold, had
some Of it brought back to terra Jirmd, and
Hatteras is a rough place."