The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01

AZ tut yeat iolV VIC CpuuIsh sup
Esperanza sailed from Peru with
Il a cargo of bullion and other mer-
chandise. The value Of the silver
alone was more than l,5OO, 900 pesos, with
gold OF about the same amount. The
vessel was bound for the East Indies.
On the fourth day after leaving Peru
she was captured by an independent
cruiser. The engagement was severe on
both sides The injury to the cruiser
was such that she was abandoned. the
captors boarding the Esperanza and
shaping her course for Macao.
The crew Of the Esperanza Joined
their captors and were to have their
share OF the prize.
on the forty third day after leaving
the South American coast it was blow
ing fresh. with constant rain. At :
A. NJ. the vessel struck a sunhen
coral reef. the sudden stoppage Of the
ship causing the mainmast to break
thus rendering 1t helpless.
At daybrcak the ship was found to be
in the centre OF reef some three miles
In diameter, with hillocks Of land about
one mile to the eastward. ON clearing
away the wreck 1t was found possible
to haul her OF, but the crew found II
impracticable to continue the voyage
owing to the several leaks which she
had sprung. So after some four days
Of incessant toll she was warped close
to the beach Of one Of the small islands
and then dismantled.
The treasure was taken out and fairly
divided: the silver was buried in a Sc
cure place, but the gold was apportioned
among the men.
from the wreck. and on the nineteenth
day they launched their craft. Their
provisions had been scarcely touched
as fish on the island was abundant and
Of good quality.
The total number of men was ninety
on landing. the losses during the en-
gagement having been very heavy. OF
this number eighty embarked. having
NIdlt, anu edIu
took his share of gold with him.
They sailed on the 120th day from the
date Of the wreck. leaving ten men be-
hind to be eventually taken off when a
suitable vessel could be found to remove
them and the buried silver.
About one year from the date Of the
departure OF the main body from the
island the remainder of the men. who
had built themselves comfortable quar-
ters from the wreck became so tired
Of waiting that they resolved to build
another small craft. which they did
1t took them three months. and draw
ing lots as to who should 60 having
previously arranged that four should
remain on the island, six OF them sailed
away.
on the thirteenth day after leaving
a storm arose and two men were
washed overheard the mast was blown
away. and the survivors drifted they
knew not where. AS their stock of pro-
visions was spoiled they became ill.,
but by the will of Providence an Amer
lean whaler picked them up. After a
few days from the time Of their res
cue one died. The other fingered till
the arrival Of the ship at Mission City
(now San Francisco), at which place
he was given in charge of the Miss on
hospital. He died on the thirtieth day
after his admittance
Previous to his death he confided Ia
his attendant the particulars Of the loss
Of the EsperanZa, giving the latitude
and longitude of the place and a
description OF the spot where the silver
was buried. implorng him to endeavor
to rescue the men on the island
He was an Englishman and well edu-
Gated and had not been home for many
years. The name given 10 the hospital
on his admlttance was Edwards
In the year 1888 there lay in the
Boqueron, off Callao, Peru, an Italian
man o-war called Archimede. Being
considered obsolete for modern war
fare, she was sold out Of the scrvic,
and was purchased By the writer, Capt
F. d. Walker. who was engaged in
collecting cargoes Of iron for the Jap.
anese market.
BY the kindness of the captain OF the
port and incidentally an occasiona
payment to him OF one hundred silver
soles the frigate was allowed to remain
In the Boqueron instead of the mer'
chant ship harbor.
This was most pleasant, as thai
anchorage (for men-o'-war only !,
free from the nauseous fumes which
periodically visit Callao. Some month.
after the acquisition of the Archimed,
! purchased from the United States
Government the storeship Onward.
On taking possession of the Onward
! took over her caretaker, an old mar
named Connor, whom transferred
eventually to the Archimede. His ag'
was uncertain; he said he was abou
10. but to form an opinion from hi
personal appearance / should say h.
was close to 80 or 90. Still he wa
lively and his life must have bee,