The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-30
SEARCH FOR SPANISH GOLD.
SUNKEN TREASURE OFF COAST
OF SCOTLAND.

Many Efforts That Have Been Made 70
Recover the Lost SIS 900 !OOO-Coin
and Articles Already r ound-Legend of
Scottish Chief and Spanish Princess.
Tobermory, tho scene Of the present
diving operations for sunken treasure, IL
one Of tho loveliest spots In tho west Of
Scotland, situated on the northwest corner
OF Null Tho town looks down, as from
an amphitheater, on It's lAndlocked bay
and the Sound OF Null. The influence OF
tbs Gulf Stream IL felt In tho proverbial
nildness OF It's climate. This season II
has opened, writes Tobermory correspond
b, emit Of the London Chronicle, with an attrac-
ton In the form Of determined search for
treasure which has lain under the waters
of It's bay for moro than three centuries.
~ For many years this district, owing to
tho stories concerning the fabulous wealth
sunk in the bay, has been the happy hunt
ing ground OF Spanish swindlers, who
were to make gentlemen OF moderate means
- the possessors Of thousands Of Spanish
gold at . very small outlay. Tho usual
story was that Spanish soldier OF fortune,
now in prison for some slight deviation
: FROM the path Of honor a. laid down by the
Government OF his country, was sending
his daughter and q duennA with the map
Of the spot where the gold lay, and some
E2o or ESQ were necessary for their ex-
pediton. The swindling trick was fire.
quently exposed, and the swindle is dead.
Tho search for the Spanish gold which
went down In 1888 with the Admiral Of
Florence or Forentia (the treasure ship
OF the Spanish Armada), when she was
blown up of Tobermory, IL surrounded
by a halo Of romance and tradition OF no
ordinary character. Indeed, the whole
story Is so enveloped by the accumulation
Of years Of legend and obscurty that even
among the inhabitants Of the district the
idea was becoming prevalent that the
tales were merely tradition, unfounded
on facts.
But In 1901 there came a sharp awakening
among those interested in the sunken
treasure, and much excitement was caused
by q story in American papers that three
Americans from Philadelphia, acting with
the authority Of the Duke OF Argyll, had
secured . portion, II not all, the treasure
In Loeb Quart, which is the old name for
Tobermory Bay. The Admiral Of Florence,
It was related, went down with treasure
of gold and precious stones while In shallow
water. The newspapers printed the story
with q flourish OF headlines, such AZ THE
Dukes Billion Treasure" The anecdote
about the Philadelphians was pure fiction,
and when our correspondent asked the
Duke of Argyll, through the Member OF
Parliament for the county, he was told
there was no truth in the statement that the
Duke intended to make such a search.
The story of the loss Of the vessel which
was then revived is as follows: As far back
as September in the year Of the Armada
g large Spanish galleon. named the Flo
rentia, in trying to avoid the storms and
save the treasure on board until suitable
weather and a favorable opportunity Of
escape should come, took refuge In the safe
and landlocked bay Of Tobermory. The
vessel was understood to have on board
no fewer than thirty million gold coins
equal to $4,000 600 in English money. The
Officers and men. who we're starving, de-
manded food from the MacLeans Of Null
then holding the lordship Of that part OF
fhe MaoLeans refused, and the COM
'rnander threatened to put his soldiers. some
needed by force. Then the MacLeans
reluctantly agreed, on the condition that
the Spaniards should give them assistance
in feud against q neighboring clan. Ira
fight followed another. until the MacI.eans,
for what reason Is now unknown, blew
up the Spanish ship as she lay in Toberrnory
< pretty legend handed down in the
district from mother to daughter is to the
effect that the Infanta OF Spain. In her
visions Of the night. saw q lovely Prince
who she was told was to be her husband
Stirred by love, she set out on the Florentia
to search for the beautiful Prince. In the
course OF time she came to Null and Tober-
mory Bay, whore MacI-ean OF Quart. the
chief Of the clan, happened to 60 on board
As soon as the Spanish Princess cast eyes
upon the chief she rushed to his side and
claimed him as her own-her husband
chosen by heaven.
MacIean was, of course. now prisoner.
When the tidings reached Quart Castle, Hrs.
MacIean could not realize the situation, but
when the truth became clear to her. She
sent by the hands Of Trustworthy retainers.
ali MacLeans, few presents to the prin.
cess, and among them huge ball OF
worsted Of the finest quality; Inside the
to blow up the vessel MacIean, privately
informed Of the scheme, made his escape,
and had only reached the Sputt Dhu. small
cascade on the western side OF the bay.
when the Florentia was blown to pieces.
the west. The cook and sailor were
thrown into a cave near the present steam
boat pier, still named the Cooks Cave:
Next, another Spanish war vessel. the
struction OF the Florentia and all her crew.
She was commanded by Capt. Forest,
In storm she was wrecked near Ardtornish.
on the Sound Of Null. The fate Of this
vessel was sealed. it was said. BY the en-
.Sbuil Minor Of Lochaber. This name in
,terpreted for Saxon readers means the
beheld cats run up his masts-one, two.
three. four, Ave, six-he thought he might
weather the storm, but when the number
increased to nine he declared the ship was
doomed.
and to events Of more recent date. In le4i
the then Marquis OF Argyll obtained q grant
TO secure treasure from ships wrecked near
Tobemory. but the operations sa,1 Il carried ,ass
his son tried to recover the treasure, APP
parently without success. From the records
Il is learned that the wreck then was In .
sadly battered state, and that 1t was dim;
cult TO find anything but the rllst-incr,isted
guns: Much quarreling seems to have
ensued over the sunken treasure and many
appeals were made to the law
- IN 1880 tn, diving bell was employed .
second time. very fine bronze gun was