Gilpin observer., 1912-07-25

Hed gold and silver specie 1t was later learned
that she insured for IS, ,941 sos.
The United Kingdom literally girdled with
sunken treasure In the latter part OF the six
teenth century. Sir Francis Drake returned in
1880 from his great journey of exploration to
California and he had adequate idea of the
vast amount OF gold which was being carried in
Spanish ships from Mexico and South America
to Spain. AS matter of fact. there
much of it in Spain that the possessors did not
know what to do with it, and the idea of the
great Armada may have been conceived much
to find a glorious means of expending the royal
wealth and the wealth OF the ambitious MOBILES as
to have method of diverting the attention OF
the poorer classes. who were very little better
of in spite OF the flood OF gold that had come
to the Peninsula.
However that may be. the great Armada is
usually considered a magnificent adventure which
was meant to crush the power OF England at
and to humble the kingdom to- state of
practical vassalage to Spain, her bitter enemy.
The English ships were well-trimmed meagerly
fitted vessels for war-war and nothing else The
Spanish ships had, In some cases. sken sails.
many splendid canopes poop decks. gold
mounted cannon. and even the lowest estimated
accounts say that from seventy to hundred
millions in Spanish gold and silver the sum
total in treasures distributed among eighty great
ships.
How Sir Francis Drake and the British ad-
mrals and captains fell the fleet and scat
tered it, how in battle after battle It worsted
is matter Of history familiar to every one. The
bulk of the Armada. driven by great storm was
hurried into the North Sea and. vainly endeavor-
ing to circle by the Orkneys and the Shetands
and get back to the Bay OF Bscay through the
Mnches, the North Channel. Irish Sea, and St
Georges Chanpel, was wrecked in strange waters.
1t is impossible in brief space to go into detail
concerning all. OF these rich sunken wrecks. Each
OF them that Is known has its more or less def
mite history and from some OF them millions OF
dollars worth OF trappings and treasure were
recovered E the years following after the
gigantic disaster.
One of the Spanish Armada ships the Floren.
cia, went ashore In the Sound OF Null In 1888.
She had a vast treasure aboard. and when she
was attacked by band of Scots her commander
blew her up. The Duke OF Argyll spent fortune
in the search. His ancestors have been hunting
since 1864, and In 1867 an announcement was
made public that the old records showed that
there was $4,000 900 in money on her. besides
the gold and silver plate. None OF 1t has
been recovered although the Argyll family have
the full information of where the wreck lies.
The Cavalier treasure OF Marston Moor is an
other famous cache For centuries the villagers
the historic field where the Roundheads and
Cavaliers contended have been thrown into great
excitement by finds OF godpieces and by the
rival of parties of strangers who the villagers i'm
agine have come to look for the treasure.
The story OF this trove is that before the battle
owing to the necessity OF shifting headquarters
Of the Kings government often the army
funds in four chests. each OF which could be
transported en- pannier between two large horses.
was brought to the Cavalier camp. sudden
descent of the Roundhend cavalry cut of the
treasure and its guardian. who held out stubborn.
ly till dark. then buried the treasure hastily
The Cavaliers retreated. expecting to receive
reinforcements and regain possession OF the treas.
ure. but the battle OF Marston Moor followed
The ground torn up with hoofs. hre swept
part OF the plain. and the marks were gone, 20
1t has remained undisturbed ever since. No. not