The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-01
TREASURE SHIP FOUND.
That Ii Is tn Say, Report to that Eff
feet Has Spread.

Florida Times-Union.
The late developments in the locating
of the treasure ship by Capt Joseph Jen-
nings and his associates is a nine DAYS
wonder. Yesterday the whole theme of
conversation here was the finding of the
silver-laden hulk For more than sixty
years there has been a constant search for
this wreck. There has never been any
doubt in the minds Of the old settlers here
in regard to the authenticity OF the report
that there was such a wreck. Many of the
older residents Of the Biscayne Bay country
claim that the ship was wrecked in 1888,
while more recent settlers place the date in
1855
Twelve years ago Capt. Joseph Jennings
came 10 the Biscayne Bay country. Soon
after reaching Cocoanut Grove he heard the
story Of the wreck, and IL is said procured
a chart. made by one of the sailors of the
ship. Capt. Jennings had great faith in the
story and began searching for the wreck.
About nine years ago j. s. Frederick, the
engineer. came to Cocoanut Grove. Mr..
Frederick had had years or experience in
mining. Captain Jennings and Capt. Alfred
Peacock interviewed him, telling him the
story of the wrecked treasure ship, and
tried to interest him in the search. For
some reason Mr.. Peacock dropped out, but
Capt. Jennings continued. Two or three
months ago he succeeded I'm interesting
three other parties, and the search was re-
newed with viGor. Capt. Key, of Miami,
was employed TO manufacture miners
pump. TO be used in the search. He was
offered a chance to enter the combination,
but his faith In hunting for the treasure
ship was so small that he declined. The
search has been carried on with the strict
.acfc nd IL n M hrra hn IN
party will be richly rewarded for its per
SiStent efforts.
A few days after the first article APP
peared in regard to the find. the cor
a long conversation with him i'm regard
to the matter. The captain positively
time. found 's anything of value; that no
silver or other valuable had been taken
from the wreck He admitted that ne
had located a wreck, but said; do
not believe there is anything OF value III IL
If there is, L do not know IL.
Saturday morning the public was startled
at the information that Captain Jennings
had employed c. c. Chillingsworth, the
lawyer to go to Jacksonville and libel the
hulk OF the old ship Heretofore the report
that Captain Jennings and his associates
had actually found the treasure ship was
thought by many to be a mere rumor But
now that he actually libeled the old hulk,
many think that surely the treasure mas
There are some peculiar circumstances in
connection with it. Hon. John u. Reilly
spent Friday at Palm Beach, returning
home on the night train. Coming down he
read the Times Union account OF the libel
ing of the hulk by Captain Jennings. As
he stepped from the train he met Captain
Jennings and laughingly said: Hello,
wrecker. you have found the ship, have
your The captain replied that he had not
Mr.. Reilly then showed him the article In
the Times-Union in regard 10 Mr.. Chillings-
worth having libeled the find in his name,
but the captain denied all knowledge or the
proceedings. Whatever may be the out
come, the people of this section all hope that
Captain Jennings has really found the treas
ure and that he will be amply rewarded
for his long search.
By the way, there are reports or other
vessels said 10 have either foundered IN
some of the heavy gales that sweep TINS
dangerous coast that were loaded with silver
and gold, or were run ashore TO save the
cargoes from the pirates who were once the
terror of the Southern seas. Men for years
have been searching for these treasures;
some have grown gray in their efforts. while
others have passed away without securing
the object OF their life. Not far from
Miami are several old wrecks, but what
they are or where they came from is all a
mystery Ii is said that there Is one such
wreck, which contains tons and tons OK
lead If il should prove true that Captain
Jennings has at last located the old hulk
with its 800 tons of silver bullion, all the
old wrecks along the coast Will be raised.
There will be renewal OF wreck hunting
and perhaps the sea will be forced TO give
I'D the vast amount OF treasure popularity
supposed to be hidden there.