The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-01-22
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zeal sunken or buried treasures is the
best evidence which could be adduced
OF the optimism OF the world at large
as regards the feasibility of bringing
to light again the fabulous wealth
which lies within the bosom of the
earth. II the tradition is to be be-
lieved, the sunken galleons of the
Spanish Armada must have literally
strewn the western shores of Great
Britain with stores Of gold and silver,
either in coin or plate.
From Vigo to Cadiz lie numerous
treasure ships sunk by the prowess
OF the English seanghters. Much
has been recovered from Vigo Bay.
but the plate ships sunk by Blake
near Cadiz have so far CHALLENGED
the skill OF the wreckers. The two
vessels which Cromwell's Admiral
captured were wealthy ships and en-
riched the English Mint, in spite OF a
leakage to the extent of about
three-quarters of a million sterling.
1t also forms part of the same ira
dition that Santa Cruz Bay is strewn
with the treasure carried by the feet
OF some ten Spanish plate ships which
Blake compelled to seek shelter in
the bay and which he subsequently,
sank. To form an accurate idea of
the wealth there must lie sunken in
the Spanish treasure ships one need
but to refer to the wealth found in
those captured anoat In the year
1747 alone the English ships can
tured GA prizes, among which the
Vestal, Spanish ship, alone yielded
100000; the Hecta, another Span-
fsh ship, 100000, and the Con-
cordia, 100000. In 1745 three
Spanish vessels returning from Peru.
having been captured by some three
privateersmen, the owners of the lat
ter received as their share the sum
or 100000 and every common sea-
man $3.50. Another Spanish galleon
was taken by n British man-of-war
with million sterling in bullion on
board. in 1867 it took thirty-eight
wagons to carry from Portsmouth to
London tho gold and Jewels found
In two Spanish galleons returning
from Mexico. In 1902 the fifteen
huge gallcons captured in Vigo Bay
yielded no less than G2sOOO,OOO,
while the great galleon captured by
Arson in 1143 contained treasure
worth 100000.
The most remarkable capture was
that of the Hermionc, off Cadiz. ON
May H. 17G2, by the English men-or-
war Active and Favorite. After all
charges had been deducted prize
money was distributed as follows:
TO the Admiral and Commodore.
E64,963 3s.9d.; to the captain of the
Active, cG6,053 IS. Sd; to each of
the three commissioned officers. 913.-
OO4 las. I'D; to each of the eight
warrant officers, G4336 3s. I'd; TO
each OF the twenty petty officers.
&lSOG los. 10d.; to each of the $50
seamen and marines, e4S5 SIS. Id.
total Actives share, e24S.C6S SIS :.
10 the captain Of the Favorite. c61.-
SI2 Us. Sd; to each of the two COM
missioAed officers, c12,974 los. Sd;
to each of tile seven warrant officers.
t4S24 los Id; to each of the six
teen petty officers, &1S92 Os. Id: t.
each of the 100 seamen and marines.
44S4 2s. 4d.; total Favorite's share
&2O3, ITO 2s. 1Od.
10 come nearer home, it is stated
the whole eastern seaboard of Central
America teens with buried treasure.
some ashore and much upon the sea
bed. Captain Kidd and his merry
comDeers are all reputed to have hid
den i'll gotten wealth, both by land
and sea, and many are the expedi-
tions which have engaged I'm its at
tempted recovery. Most of the mod
ern expeditions which enlisted caDitaI
70 hunt these pirates treasures be-
longed to the fake" order. They
were promoted by adventurers who
aspired only to make an easy living
FOR some time at the expense of the
credulous, but there are records OK
tant OF expeditions OF this nature
Whlch resulted in considerable profit.
one OF these was carried on more
than zoo years ago by youth named
william PhiDps. son of a New Eng
land carpenter, who had heard of q
treasure ship sunk off Uispaniola II
Is said i'm tho more or less authentic
story OF Captain Kidd that not n fow
Ola pirates and buccaneers we're re-
tired comfortably I'm this part of the
country, respected citizens and adorod
by the children.
1t is certain that Kidd was held I'm
nigh regard i'm New York: it was in
deed his excellent reputation which
induced the Government to give him
q commission as Pirate Catcher to his
Majesty Therefore 10 may be con
sidered quito probable that vounr
Phipps, who was then snepbcrd
/ heard of the prize from one of those
| veterans. 10 is not known by which
means, though certain It appears.
that he managed TO visit HispanioIa.
whence he proceeded to London
/ once there the carpenters son min
| gled with very high flown personaees.
among whom the Duke of Albemarle.
/ VINO not only subscribed himself To
| the proposed venture, but persuaded
q number of his friends to- advance
/ 800 each. This. Sc will be noted
pears q strong resemblance to the his
| tory of the Coils Diamond Syndicate
| Ills Grace OF Albemarle also secured
the appointment of Governor of la
maica, in order Co be near the scepo
OF operations, and give assistance. n
necessary without further taxing hts