THE ELINGAMITE TREASURE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 26, 31 January 1907, Page 2

THE ELINGAMITE TREASURE.

FURTHER. PARTICULARS OF THE EXPEDITION. THE DEATH OF THE DIVER, Considerable interest attaches to the doings of tho party who recently endeavoured with some success to secure the treasure which went down at /the Three Kings in the steamer Elingamito The work it will be remembered was interrupted by the tragic death of the diver, Mr. 'Harper. " Captain Willis, who accompanied the expedition as represontiye of the London Salvage Association, was interviewed by an Auckland Herald reporter on his return from tho Three Kings last week. Speaking firstly in regard to the occasion on which the wreck was located by the diver Mr. Harper (4th January), Captain Willis said that the diver stated that he located a portion of the wreck in 17 fathoms of water after touching bottom at 15 fathoms and walking down what had the appearance of a giassy slope As far as he could see tho lemainder of the wreck lay on an angle sloping down into deep water. On the following day five descents were made and Mr. Harper then reported that tho gear of the vessel was in a general state of '-'smash," and that tho vessel wns completely flattened out. At half-past ten on the morning of the next day (6th January), tho diver brought wp a number of coins and reported that ho could see no signs 'Of tho boxes in which tho money had been placod, the coins being found lying loose over the surface of the iron plating, in about 20 fathoms of water. At elcvon o'clock Mr. Harper again descended and remained under water till noon, during which period ho sent up some additional gold and silver coins. Shortly after coming to the surface on this occasion Harpor complained of deep water pains, and soon after being taken on board tho Huia he fainted. Restoratives were applied and every possible attention was shown to the divor, who was lmich better that evening, though iic was still evidently suffering considerably from the effect of being iv such a depth of water for a long period. By the bun Mr. Harper had apparently completely rocovered, and he resumed diving operations. "It had been arranged," 6aid Captain Willis, "that on no decount was Mi. Harper to stay below more than fifteen minutes at a time. On that, and the following two days further sums of money were recovered. Owing to a strong swell and the shortage of water the party then went to Mangonui to refit, and as soon as tho weather was suitable a return was njadc to the scene of operations." MR. HARPER'S LAkT DESCENT.' "Diving operations," i continued Captain Willis, "were resdmed on Tuesday 22nd, when the launch with the diver and party on board loft the Huia and proceeded to the scene of tho wreck about half-past eight k.m. Mr. Harper wont down twico and on each occasion signalled at the cxpiiation of fifteen minutes. Ho remained below, however, twonty-throe minutes on each descent. When ho desconded far tho third time ho wa3 very cheerful, peing in excellent spirits and apparently, in the best of health. Ho was signilled as usual at the end of tho fifteen minutes, and he replied 'all right.' Although, as already stated, he had been so strongly warned against remaining below for a long period ho persisted in doing so, and on itis occasion he had been down thirty-two' minutes before he came up. I was onboard tfe .. Huia at the time. Mr. Harper complained of being ill when he came to the surfaco and was at oncp convoyed by the launch to the Huia. Ho w<i3 placed on board the steamer, where every endeavour was mado to bring him round. After a time ho commenced to show signs of recovery. Tho efforts at restoration wcro continue! and he still showed some signs of rallying. A consultation was hold, with the result that Captain • ivenzie loft the steamer to obtain the Oig life boat. I continued the use of restoratives in tho meantime with satisfactory results. Captain M'Kcnzio returned to) the steamer in less than i half an hot)r from his departure. ShortIly afterwards, despite our continued exertions, Sir. Harper showed signs of collapso and. he passed peacefully away at about a^'quarter past two." Speaking ,of the disregard paid by the deceased to, the strong advice not to remain below more than fifteen minutes Captain Willis said that one of Mr. Harper's sons gave him the signal to conio up, but as he did not respond, said that nothing could bo done as his father would always have his own way. It should also bo stated, he said, that | Mr. Harper when he came up ascended in tho usual way, and it was not until after he stepped into the launch that it was known that anything was the mattor. He tljon complained of beine ill and made a. remark to tho effect that it was a mistake to remain so long under water. ''I should like to express my deep regret, which was shared by all on board," said Captain Willis, "at this sad termination of | Mr. Harper's career. Pei--sonally, I had the greatest respect for him. I consider him t6 have been ono of the best, and bravest divers that I havo over htd anything to do with. I nover met q, braver man, and it was just through his persistence and his extreme dosiro to mako a success of the expedition tqat ho met his death. All possible precautions and care were taken, and if all tho doctors in Auckland had been thjsre they could not havo saved his life" •<I supposejtho search for tho treasure will be continued?" "Yes, you ( rnay be perfectly sure of that. The syndicate has its license for carrying on pperations, which will, no doubt, bo .continued when tho necessary arrangement^ aro made. Boyond that I am not prepared to sjfy anything at prcsont."