THE LUSITANIA

A SALVAGE PROJECT

AMERICAN SYNDICATE

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

NEW YORK, 23rd December.

Negotiations are now.under way between an American syndicate and the Admiralty for the recovery of articles of historic value from the Lusitania, -which lies upright, in an easy position to salve, in 240 feet of water eight miles off 'the he# of old Krasale, Ireland, where 'she was torpedoed on 7th May, 1915, by the German submarine U2O, in charge -of Commander Walther Schweiger, with the loss of 1198 persons. A buoy marks the spot. The syndicate comprises Simon Lake submarine inventor and builder, and Captam H. H. Railey, who was personal representative of : Admiral Byrd. during his Antartic expedition. They expect to start work late in January, largely with the aid of a steel-enclosed stairway, five feet in diameter, with an' observation chamber eight feet. wide, at the lower end, which will be lowered to the deck of the liner English and American divers will be employed. From the observation chamber says Mr. Lake, divers may descend to the wreck, and, by means of,powerful lighting apparatus, the vicinity may .be amply illuminated. It is planned to take a series of photos of all parts of the .vessel Captain Railey has been, in England for two months, making preparations. While it is considered, that the Lusitania ]i es in No Man s Sea," the co-operation of the Admiralty is being sought, also the approyal of the Liverpool and London War Eisk Association, mainly as a matter of international courtesy. _ The tube, which was invented by Mr Lake shortly before the outbreak of war was to have been used, for the (salvaging f. , tJJf, B"tlsh frigate Lutine in the Emrhsh Channel. It is now at Brightlingsea, following a series of deep-sea.tests The water pressure is estimated to be 851b to the square inch, and the divers will be able to work without difficulty. The salvage vessel Artiglio 11., which has been used on the sunken liner Egypt, lying in 400 feet of water, had far more serious conditions to,meet.