Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-08-02
SILVER SUNK IN THE SEA.
An Olu-Time Search for Spanish GaIIesn's
Precious Freight

ADOub O&aC year 1888 S1r NHl1am
Phips, afterward celebrated for his at
tempt to take Quebec in 1890, applied
to the English government for aid and
permission to fit out a suitable vessel
for the purpose of searching for the
wreck OF a Spanish ship which has
been lost near one of the West India
Islands (Bahamas) richly laden with
silver. His request, after some delay,
was granted, and frigate called
Algier Rose, carrying eighteen guns
and manned with ninety-five men, was
placed under his command.
He arrived in New England the same
year and proceeded forthwith to the
place where the treasure was reported
to have been lost. He encountered
many difficulties in his voyage, and
came nigh, more than once losing his
life by the mutiny of his crew
1t is reported of him that while his
ship lay by an island for the purpose of
enabling his men to take on board a
fresh supply of wood and water, they
agreed among themselves to take the
ship into their own hands and make
piratical expedition into the south
seas They were all on the island ex-
cept Capt Philips and eight or ten of his
crew. Among these were the carpen-
ter, whose services they could not well
dispense with, and they accordingly
sent to the ship, requesting him to
come to them, as they had something
for him to do
No sooner had he come among them
than they disclosed to him the cruel
project, which was to set the captain
and the eight or ten men with him
upon the island, and then leave them
to perish, while they would take the
ship into their own hands and perform
the proposed voyage. They gave the
carpenter half an hour to consider the
subject, whether he would join them
or not, and sent him back accompanied
by seaman to prevent any interview
between him and the captain, by which
disclosure would be made.
While at work on the ship he sud-
denly feigned an attack of collie. and
rushed into the CABIN for the purpose
of obtaining relief, and while there gave
the captain an account of the deter
mination of the crew. He directed the
carpenter to return upon the island,
and give his consent to join the con-
spiracy.
When the carpenter had left the ship
the captain ordered the men on board
to prepare the cannon for action, re-
moved the plank by which landing
had been affected, and ordered them
not to permit any of those ashore, save
the carpenter, to approach the ship. A
quantity of provisions had been carried
on shore and covered with tent, and
two or three guns placed near them to
protect them from the Spaniards who
might be passing that way. These
guns were all charged ready to be
made use of in the event of an attack
from the conspirators.
The disaffected part of the crew now
returned to the ship for the purpose of
executing their plans. No sooner had
they come in sight than the captain
ordered them not to approach, saying
to them that their intentions had been
discovered and that they were to be
left upon the island, there to remain
and perish. Seeing how hopeless their
condition had become, they gathered
courage from despair and resolved to
rescue the provisions from the ship,
and began to make bold push.
AS soon as they began to approach,
the captain, in a resolute manner,
cried out: ''Stand off, We wretches, at
| your perilI'' They quickly relinquished
| their determination 20 attack, and fell
upon their knees, imploring pardon,
and agreed to comply with any dis
| posal he might make of them, provided
| he would receive them on board. At
ter having kept them on their knees
| long enough, he granted their petition
and received them on board the ship,
and sailed Immediately for the island
| of Jamaica. There he put them on
shore and employed other seamen in
their places
He now commenced an examination
for the wreck, and after spending a
long time in most fruitless search,
sailed for England. BY the advice,
however, of an old Spaniard, he had
satisfied himself of the prospect of sue
ceeding in accomplishing his object
and determined to return again and
prosecute his search. His crew being
composed of strangers, made him think
it advisable to change them for Others
in whom he could have greater conf
dence in the event of his labors being
crowned with success
On his return to England his conduct
gained the royal appreciation and the
applause of the mobiles, and many dis
tinguished men encouraged him to en-
gage in a second expedition and under
more favorable and promising circum
| stances.
His project was opposed, however
by many powerful enemies, but by
patience and perseverance he overcamt
every obstacle and disappointment
and under the patronage of the duke
of Albemarle, with a new ship fitted
out with a more honest crew, and fur
nished with instruments and appli
ances suited to the character of the
expedition, he once more sailed west
ward.
Arrived at Port de Ia Plata, he made
large canoe from the cotton tree suf-
hcient to carry eight men, and, with
the Old Spaniard for a guide, agar
commenced examination for the wreck
There they ioated about fishing fol-
| their treasure among dangerous reef
and shoals for many weeks withouf
success
So fruitless was the search that NOR
than once Capt. Phips, as well as hi
men had determined to abandon tn
work At length. when returning t
the ship, discouraged by repeated dis
appointment and hopelessness of sue
eessful issue of the project, one of tn
men, looking into the water discovers