The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-17

Central America heavily loaded. along the
Spanish main. IL was supposed that her
trip was successful, and she was credited
with capturing several GALLONS freighted
with riches amounting to IS ,000, 600 On
her return voyage, via New York, running
short of provisions or water, she put into
Delaware bay. A pilot was taken on
board, and when nearing the town Of Lewes
the captain vent below preparatory to
DOMINIC his full uniform for the purpose of
going ashore. While the captain was in his
cabin putting the finishing touches to his
toilet, the pilot, perceiving a squall arising.
ordered the light sails taken in. When the
captetn appeared on deck he was displeased
with the action OF the pilot and gave imme-
diate orders to reset all the light sails, say
ing TO the pilot: "You look out for the
bottom and will look out for the sails"
LOSS OF THE ode BRAAK"
No sooner had the light canvas been
stretched again when the squall came up.
and striking the De Braak that gallant
craft careened. the water poured into her
matches, which were open, and amid the
cries of 100 Spanish prisoners between
decks, the mingled prayers aud excavations
of the crew. she went to the bottom with
every stitch of canvas set and her colors
floating deiiantly in the breeze. The sailors
took to the boats, and so enraged were
they at the loss OF their prize
tudS WLAcn blc Cdpbdl0, VINO
was laundering around in the
water, attempted TO climb into one of the
boats, the sailors smashed his hands with
their oars as he placed them on the gun
wales, compelling him to release his hold.
He persisted; his body was washed ashore
and is buried at Lewes, Del, where the
monument that marks his resting place can
still be seen.
SEARCHING FOR THE GOLD.
The wreck Of the De Rraak is a matter of
history. There is also evidence, other than
the garrulity Of aged pilots, that goes to show
that the suuken sloop-of-war went down
with an immense sum OF money aboard.
When she entered the bay shs had vessel
with prize crew aboard under CONVOY
There is tradition to the effect that the
captain said as he stood on the quarter
deck: II have had my cruise, and Pm going
home to live like a prince" which remark
was significant. The year after the disas-
ter two frigates arrived from England for
the purpose of raising the hulk. The
officers and crews succeeded in putting
chains around it, and a frIgate on each
side attempted to tow it to safer place;
but, storm coming up, the chains
parted, the hulk . once mere went
to the bottom, and disheartened and
discouraged the officers pointed the
prows of their frigates homeward
Since then, and even within recent years.
search has been made with improved APP
paratus for the hidden treasure, but no sue
cess has been met with. The ever restless
sands composing the bottom of Delaware
bay have, probably. by this time buried the
wreck and its contents far from the itching
hand OF man; or, perhaps, some of its ribs
still protrude from the bottom, beckou-
ing to fortune some future adventurer. Mr..
Johnston has spent some money and consid-
cradle time pursuing this will-'o~the-wisp.
BURNING OF THE GOLDEN GATE
About twenty-five years ago the steamer
Golden Gate sailed from Panama to San
Francisco. This was in the days before the
Union Pacific railway, AMI if person had
occasion to cross the United States from
the east to the west, he could walk it, go
around Cape Horn, OF else via the IsthmuS
of Panama by steamer. The express com
panies shipped immense quantities of gold
via the latter route. When the Golden
Gate sailed from Panama she had on board
q, 100000 in bullion. The steamer took
fire, the captain headed her for the nearest
land, ran his vessel aground in the break
ers and succeeded in saving all
of the passengers, though they saved moth
ing but the clothes they had on. The scene
of the wrecks 30 miles from Manzanillo, in
Mexico. OF course, here was big find for
somebody, and several wrecking companies
OTlSC u TCcOFef Tile lOSG DuG DnSiT
efforts resulted only in failure. The task
was difficult one. on account Of the wreck
being inshore among the breakers.
RECOVERING THE BULLION.
B. A. Johnston, brother of Charles W.,
was In San Francisco when he heard of
the various failures, but the magnitude of
the job, instead of affecting him unfavor-
ably, had an opposite tendency. He had an
idea ne could secure this gold. Without
consulting the express company, to which it
belonged. he secured partner, a man from
sailed for Mexico on the Pacific coast.
To make long story short,
they recovered S1,20O,00O of the
bullion after patient and hazardous labor.
Returning to San Francisco they placed 1t
in a vault. The express comp any, hearing of
tho recovery, pounced down on the vault,
and litigation began. The two partners got
salvage, however, Mr.. Johnston's share being
$4,000. When the contents OF the boxes
were being counted, it was found that each
box contained more than was marked on
the outside, this being trick perpetrated
by the express company on the steamship
people. Freight was charged on the value,
not on the Quantity Of gold and silver
shipped. By differentiation it is likely
that neat sum was saved by the express
company. but at the expense Of the steam
boat company.
MORE BURIED TREASURE.
While at work on the Golden Gate,
Mr.. Johnston and his partner located
safe that was known to contain $50, 900.
They made several attempts to rig a moose
around it, but they were ell ineffe ctual,
owing to the violence of the breakers,
which would coma in with such force as to
sweep them away. There is now in the
vicinity OF this sunken steamer
sum in excess Of 100000 induces
ments have been held out
to Mr.. Johnston. the object being to prevail
upon him to make another trip to the scene
of the disaster. with the intention of re-
covering the remainder of the valuable
cargo, but it is very unlikely that he will
consent to do so, as he is getting old, and
such work is too exciting. With the $50, 600
that he received as his share of the salvage
he bought pearl oyster island in South
America, and is now engaged in the pearl
fisheries.
DIVING FOR PEARLS.
In pearl fishing the diver descends
through the water to the banks. around
which the oysters are clustered, placing his
feet, to secure greater rapidity, on a stone
attached to the end of rope. the other. end
of which is made fast to the boat. He car
ries with him another rope. one end OF
which is held by two men in the boat, while
to the part that descends with the diver
there is fastened net or basket. Besides these
every diver is provided with strong knife