TREASURE TROVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 11

TREASURE TROVE

SALVAGE ATTEMPT. Captain J. Bartlett, of Lewes, Delaware, is to fulfil a 50-year-old dream when he sots out shortly to attempt to recover the reputed millions of the sunken British sloop of war De Braak, off the coast of Delaware, says the New York correspondent of the London “Evening Standard.” Hundreds of attempts have been made to locate the vessel. All have failed. All previous efforts were made in the sea, but Captain Bartlett’s will be unique in that his attempt will be made on land.

Great changes have taken place in the coast contours, the Captain declares. He thinks the sloop now lies buried under 45 feet of sand. His calculations are based primarily on a technical knowledge of wind velocity and direction and tides. Further proof of his theory is furnished’ by the fact that some years ago* he saw a native preacher pick up a golden nugget while walking along the seashore. This nugget was later valued at £3O. Captain Bartlett believes that that nugget was but one of many more to be found in the British sloop. The sloop, commanded by Captain James Drew, had obtained the gold by robbing Spanish galleons. Captain Bartlett has a three years’ lease from the Mayor of Lewes for prospecting purposes along the seashore, and he will pay five per cent, of any recovered treasure to the tow-n and 10 per cent, to the U.S. Government.

“I don’t -want much for myself,” he said. “All I want is a couple of gold nuggets to hang on my front gate. : The folks here are so honest I know they won’t touch them.”