The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-13
$4,000 IN NET
Fisherman Catches Diamonds
From Fated Lusitania.
Another Rescued Fine AutOmO-
bile From Sinking Ship.
SALVAGE MUCH FOODSTUFFS
Many TOrpedOed Vessels Drift
Aground on Coast.
Alert Fishermen Get Rich OF
Deserted CargOes.

Base American Flotillas in British
Waters. Nov. 13-Irish fishermen
along the coasts where the U-boats
operate, have made some remarkable
catches during the past year. The
story of the fisherman who found a
$4,000 box of diamonds from the
Lusitania in his nets one day, and
whose honesty in returning them to
their rightful owners was rewarded
nv a check for $1,000, is well known.
There is another fisherman who came
home from fishing expedition with
a fine new American automobile
dashed to the deck of his little traw-
Ter There are hundreds of fisher
men who have made modest fortunes
out of salvage of one kind or another.
Wheat, flour and coal salvage are all
profitable business in the coast towns
nowadays
The story of the man who came
home from the sea with brand
new automobile is a household favor
lite in the Irish ports. Accompanied
by his son he was mackerel fishing
when he was aroused by the report of
an explosion. On the horizon a cargo
steamer from America was settling by
the stern. It had been torpedoed-
The fishermen headed for it and soon
met the captain and crew in two open
boats. She's loaded with American
automobiles, you might get one be-
fore she goes under" said the skip
per jokingly as he and his shipmates
passed on toward shore.
Gets Auto Off Ship.
The torpedoed ship was still well
above the water line when the fisher
man came alongside. He at once
sent his son on board to look around.
The latter found the hold full of au-
tomobiles. run one out through
this gangway," directed the father.
With the aid of some tackle the ma
chine was dropped into the fishing
vessel. A few moments later as the
trawler steamed away the ship dis
appeared. The fisherman with an au-
tomobile is now the envy of his viii
lage.
Many torpedoed vessels manage to
reach shore where they are usually
pounded to pieces on the rocks. But
before the cargo is lost forever peo-
pie come from. miles around to salvage
it. Anything that will float is used
and everyone helps himself. r1en,
ship, removing brass fittings and ev-
erything else of value. Flour and
canned meats, fruits and vegeta bles
form the larger portion of the salvaged
articles.
Load Up On Flour.
One village has had the good for
tune to have a couple of foodsaips
bring up on it's very doorstep. Most
of the ships of course go down at
sea. But this does not dishearten the
alert fishermen who have been known
to transfer several hundred sacks of
the best American flour from a vessel
while it is sinking many miles from
land. If the explosion tears a big
enough hole in the victim much of
the cargo will become loosened and
wash ashore where it is quickly spied
by the watchful eyes of the natives
Salvage companies are very active
and are making huge profits. Some
have transferred their whole staffs
to this coast. Their agents can bid
on a wheat cargo without seeing it
and can tell just how far into a sack
of flour the water will have pene-
trated in a given period.