The New York herald., 1922-08-06

HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
5, London, July 22.
The romance of treasure seeking
whether it be on coral islands, in the
Rockies or in the awkward spots
chosen by the ragged heroes of Mark
Twain. always seems to stimulate that
streak of adventure with which most
men are blessed.
All around the British Isles at the
present moment. and for the last few
years, the seas have been dotted with
sunken treasure about which it is al
most impossible to think without
weaving mentally some wild and thrill
ing adventure. ree entire idea and
scene Of men diving down to the
uttermost depths of the sea. through
the greeny Seaweed and hordes Of
swiftly gliding fishes, to the Shiny
rocks at the bottom, arises vividly be-
fore the mind. The bare thought OF
exploring the intricacies OF a dented,
broken or embedded ship under the
water has stirred even hard headed
business men since the termination of
the war to place the adventure on
business basis and make searching the
depths of the sea a profitable business.
They have tried to steal the glamour
from wild and intimate contact with
nature and cloak it around their COM
merce.
Result of German Destruction.
mo 80 utu 90 nrtyf Icl1.
fringed and embroidered with nearly
seven million tons of British ships sunk
by the Germans during the war. That
means to say that there are more than
1000 wrecked ships lying around the
coasts-more than 1000 treasure hunts
with the scenes in every case varying.
Some are lying in the rocks off the
Shetland Islands. where almost Arctic
conditions prevail others are in shallow
water off the gorgeously picturesque At
lantic seaboard or Ireland
There is perhaps no nation In the
world which can be so easily thrilled by
the thought OF delying into the fascin-
ating sea. and the tremendous length OF
their seaboard gives a great proportion
Of Englishmen more intimacy with the
seq than Is the case In mnst ,other coiitt-
tries. tosT,s 0eg
Needless to say, great number OF
the ships which at the conclusion Of the
war were lying at the bottom OF the
various big ports and harbors have been
raised. Dozens of trawlers and small
tramp steamers in quite shallow water
around the coast have been dived down
to and examined. The majority Of them
were carrying metals and other things
Of war utility. Hundreds OF tons Of
various war materials have been rescued
from the bottom and long since been
turned into implements OF peace. Many
an autoobile now rolling through the
streets OF London is built Of steel which
in its earlier stage Of development as pig
iron lay at the bottom OF one or other
OF the seas, and has been rescued after
the manner OF stories which have set
many an English boy and young man
dreming OF treasures to hunt down any
where In the world. OF treasure trove
Much Loot washed Up.
The Asher folk around Britain.
hardy body OF people 10 whom the water.
on which they gaze every morning and
by which they are roared to sleep every
night. means life. To judge by their
actions and record alone. they see abb
solutely no terror in the sea--its an old
friend OF theirs. For the last few years
these people have had every possible in
centive to explore the floor of the ocean.
Day after day all sorts OF stuff is
washed up To them from somewhere in
the water Some OF the treasure that
has been washed up on the coasts OF the
British Isles is amazingly interesting.
1t comes from all sorts OF countries.
Not so long ago a bell buoy belonging
to the Canadian Government was
washed UP on the shore Of the west
coast OF Ireland. The Canadian Gov
ernment made n present of II TO the
town body who found IL.
But things OF great value have been
washed ashore from the sea OF recent
years, since the bottom OF the sea has
been so full OF really valuable stuff
Again and again these tough, tawny
skinned, hard listed, slow moving sailors
have risked their lives and boats with a
carelessnees bred Of custom. searching
the great craggy fringes OF their island
country for whatever booty or loot It's
merciless roughness has exactcd from
the sea. Scores Of almost unbelievable
stories are told Of the adventures. out
of all accord with the twentieth century
generality, which these real sailors"
have gone through carrying out AZ sea
the work OF the vulture. But others,
less romantic folk. have also attacked
the sea thus.
And this spirit OF romancc-this rush
Of blood to the head. at the thought 81
the honest danger OF the sea set in
mystery, real mystery upon which each
mind can work It's own picture--seems
to be as great collectively a. individ-
ually.
Ia. l.Nf.