RICHEST SPOILS OF SPAIN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 3

RICHEST SPOILS OF SPAIN.

TREASURE IN VIGO BAY. great sea fight for gold. The story of the G 3 vessels of the Turkish fleet sunk in Navarino Bay, 97 years ago, with gold and silver treasures worth £10,000,000, looted from the Greeks, has recently been told. But the modern diver-adven-turer has greater conquests awaiting him. In Vigo Bay, Northern Spain, lies a fortune of £24,000,000 in gold, silver and precious stones, sunk 222 years ago“ Recovery of this vast fortune, says a London paper, may be more than an idle dream; but with up-to-date equipment, salvage work that was once impossible is now regarded as practicable.

Vigo is a small seaport, prosperous in a modest way, but not one that would be thought from external appearance to have any claims to great riches. Yet, if the sandy bottom of a harbour can be said to form any part of a port, Vigo is one of the richest ports in the world. Beneath the quiet waters of the bay lies one of the greatest fortunes that the old Empire of Spain ever brought out of its colonies in the New World. In 1702 there sailed from Vera Cruz a “plate fleet” of Spain. In usual circumstances the sailing of this fleet, bearing the spoils of both mining and, murder, was a yearly occurrence. but on this occasion the fleet carried three years’ accumulation of riches, a dispute as to a succession to the throne having caused delay. It was not without misgiving that the Spaniards entrusted this treasure, estimated at £24,000,001), on the high seas. They were well acquainted with the marauding habits of certain English admirals, and Drake, though dead, yet lived, in the fear he had put into the hearts of the Spaniards. When the 17 plate ships sailed with their rich cargo they were accompanied by 23 ships of the line. These were under the command of Count de Chateaurenard, and were lent by Spain's ally and ever-faithful friend, France. “A Fleet of Gold ” News of the sailing of this "fleet of gold” soon arrived in London, where Queen Anen held her Court, and, with equal speed; certain admirals put to sea, determined to have another brush with Spain, and make a bid for the prize that would fall to force of arms. But luck was against the English. The “plate fleet” sailed on, while the seas were being scoured in every direction but the right one. Councils were held daily on the richly-laden ships, and discussions took place regarding the safest point in Europe to sail for. The French advocated making for their own country. where he help might be obtained

to protect the fleet, but the Spaniards were suspicious, thinking that once the treasure got near French shores it might be “naturalised” and lost to them. They were therefore determined to make for Vigo, where, in due course, the fleet arrived safly, Difflcultis and dangers were over—at least all thought—and but for one extraordinary piece of stupidity such would have been the case. Having arrived at Vigo, instead of Cadiz, as was their custom, the commanders of the “plate fleet” found themselves prevented from unloading their precious cargo by "red tape” regulations. The citizens of Cadiz held a charter for the discharging of ships from America, and were in no frame of mind to allow their poorer brethren of Vigo to earn honest pay by usurping their rights. A pretty dispute arose, which, after much wrangling, was referred to Madrid for settlement. ' English Fleet Draws Near. Meanwhile the plate ships were lying peacefully at anchor, their cargoes still aboard them, and, what was of more importance, an English fleet, under command of Sir George Rooko, was slowly drawing near. This admiral, with a certain Dutchman — friends for the time being—was returning. from a disastrous attack on Cadiz, in which, for a change, the Spaniards had come off best. It so happened that H.M.S. Pembroke put into Lagos for fresh water, and there, through the instrumentality of a talkative chaplain, news was heard concerning the arrival of a rich “plate fleet” at Vigo. No sooner had the chaplain blurted out his tale when the Pembroke weighed anchor, and went in chase of Sir George Rooke. She caught him up. What a change the news she carried wrought in the minds of the defeated sailors! Dutch and English, the wounded and the sick, from high officer to lowly gunner, all burst into cheers when the news went round. Treasure! Wealth such as Drake and Raleigh never dreamed of! Their minds no more needed the cheering words of their commanders to keep them in the best of spirits. "To Vigo! To Vigo!” they cried. Wor dson reached Vigo of the enemy’s approach. Immediately the forts were manned, militia called out, chains stretched across the harbour, and—crowing folly of all—portions of sent ashore, were loaded kkcrt(oU; the treasure, already surreptitiously sent ashore, were loaded back on the ships. Destruction of “Plate Ship.” Against the formidable preparations of the Spaniards the English sailed gleefully; while Vice-Admiral Hopson was crashing into the chains and booms at the entrance of the Bay, the Duke of Ormond was leading his Grenadiers against the forts. The attacks, both by land and sea, were successful, though not without heavy payment in the price of lives. The ships bore down on the anchored galleons, moored so close to each other that they dare not fire their broadsides.

Many wre blown out of the water, others were set on Are, and those heaviest laden were carried by the sword’s point. Soorl the land forts had fallen, the galleons were blazing, the day was England’s. As soon as victory was assured all efforts were spent on putting out the flames on the burning craft, but it was not for glory, but for gold, that the men had so valiantly fought. The task was no easy one. While the English were doing their utmost to put out the fires, the Spaniards, realising that all was lost, were starting new ones, and blowing up treasure ships that hitherto had escaped the attention of the. victors.

Sir George Rooke managed to get away with booty to the value of £2oo,ooo—no mean prize for a fleet returning from defeat. But the resl of the treasure was sunk in the waters -of the bay.

Many attempts have been made to recover the lost treasure. An Englishman. with the aid of a diving bell, recovered bars of silver to the value of, roughly, £S00; but the Spaniarsd'stopped him from going on with his enterprise. In 1325 a Scotsman arrived on the scene. He was allowed to try his luck on condition that 90 per cent, of the wealth found was handed over to the Spanish Government. He raised a considerable portion of the treasure, and, having done so, made the Spanish representatives present hopelessly drunk, and then sailed away. Near Perth there stands a house in which this cute treasure-seeker spent the remainder of his days. From time to time scores of plans have been “tried out” in order to rob Vigo Bay of its riches, yet nothing but a few implements of war has ever been regained since the wily Scotsman departed. Treasure valued at £24,000,000 still lies in Vigo Bay.