Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-15
oALLEYs IN LAKE MENU.
Attempts to Raise Ships Sunk Cen
turtles Ago

FroB tue faH Aau DaEstte-s
1t Is proposed to form company in Rome
with a capital of fa0.e1 FOR raising the i'm
perial galleys which have lain at the bottom
of Lake Nemi perhaps for eighteen cen
turtles We are used to such ventures In
this country but those who put money into
them have not commonly been encouraged
to try again The last attempt to find a
treasure ship collapsed only few weeks
ago, but it is understood that the Dixie OF
Argyll bore all the expenses of thatSenter-
prise. The case of the Nemi galleys. how
ever, is exceptional. Divers have explored
them again and again. They have even re-
covered works of art which delight con-
noisSeurs and antuuares in fact. though
the position of these interesting relics is
assured and the ma gniiicenee of their equip
ment beyond doubt. those who feel tempted
to apply for shares would do well to ask
themselves whether curiosities enough re.
main to repay the cost of more thorough
investigation. -.
How vessels of such size came to b.,
launched on the pretty lake Nemi and who
built them, how and when they were sunk
are pleasing subjects for specuat ion. There
is no record. According to tradition they
represent one Of Caligulas mad freaks and
exploration confirms this report in meas
ure, for leaden pipes recovered bear that
emperors name. That is not proof, but ii
shows at least that the pipes were cast in
his day, and the description of Suetonius is
deed, but to the pleasure craft In which,
Caligula used to sail along the coast. They
were of cedar. the poops inlaid with pre-
cious stones and the sails painted. There
were baths on board, galleries, spacious
chambers. vines and fruit trees of every
sort Those at the bottom of Lake Nemi
are big enough for such luxury. An exact
measurement of the smallest has been
taken; it is 200 feet long and 60 feet wide;
the depth could not be ascertained. The
large one is supposed to be more than $50
feet in length.
1t would seem that the memory of these
submerged vessels has never been lost. En-
thusiasts suggest that the beauty and ex-
travagance of their fittings. or perhaps the
splendid scenes and the monstrous orgies
on board so impressed the neighborhood
that they have never been forgotten One
would like to admit this picturesque explain
alton, 'ert 1t is not necessary. when the
hulks can be discerned even now on a still
day. Much more could be seen formerly.
But 1t was the urgent appeals-and the
wondrous legends doubt iess-of his ten4n-
try which induced Cardinal Colonna to
make an elaborate and costly attempt to
raise the galleys in 1881 He persevered for
eight years, bringing little army of
perts from Genoa. But when the machinery
was put to the test. instead of lifting the
hulkS 1t tore great pieces from the sides.
The cardinal, however. secured a variety of
fine things. So did Gillaume de Lorraine in
1885. He relied upon a sort of diving bell,
which actually worked" The next effort
Signor Borghi, an engineer. undertook the
enterprise in 1895, with the sanction of the
government, and 1t is his failure, compare
tive, which has caused the formation of
the company. But Signor Borghi fished up
some notable treasures. in particular six
mooring rings. heads of lions and wolves,
admirable works of Graeco- Roman art, and
a head of Medusa, finer still, if possible.
By this time We have gain some general
knowledge of the decoration The deck
is paved with thin discs of porphry and
serpentine, each framed in enamel of
white. gold, red and green; the bulwarks
are gilt bronze. finely cast. There was a
fountain or more deck. supplied by the
pipes mention. Professor LancIani speaks
in general terms of marble terraces, enam-
eled decks, shrines, fountains and hanging
gardens aboard the larger galley.
1t should be added that this high author
ity inclines to think they Were vessels at
tached to the sanctuary of Artemis Tau
RIGA, that far-famed temple of Aricia, upon
the heights above, where
Sc The CHASTITY priest did reign
The priest who slew the slayer.
And shall himself be slain
They would be used to carry pilgrims
across the lake, but more especially for
Hgious ceremonies and combined professions
by land and water