CALIGULA'S GALLEYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 11

CALIGULA'S GALLEYS.

EXPECTED WEALTH NOT POUND (tTKTTBD MESS ASSOCIATION—BY BLBCTBIC TELEOBATH—COPYRIGHT.) ' (Received March 26th, 7.25 p.m.) ROME, March 25. Signor Mussolini has ordered a cessation of pumping at Lake Nemi, when the uncovered Caligula galley was found to be built of wood, covered with lead plates instead o£ the traditional gold. The second galley was similarly armoured. . [On October 22nd, 1928, Signor Mussolini set in. motion the electric pumps to drain the historic Lake Nemi to bring to light Emperor Caligula's galleys. The lake is about 17 miles from Rome and its level was to be reduced 140 feet to expose the vessels. By the end of March, 1929, the poop of one of the galleys had been revealed and the timbers were found to be well preserved after nearly 2000 years' submersion. Caligula waß Emperor at Rome from 37 to 41 A.D., and was reputed to be one of the cruellest of Roman Emperors. The record of his extravagance, his profligate revels, and atrocities branded him as a madman. It was a tradition that great treasure was sunk with the galleys and many attempts had been made by divers to secure it,- but without success, and it was left to Signor Mussolini to adopt more elaborate measures.]