THE A SURE TROVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13502, 29 July 1907, Page 6

THE A SURE TROVE.

EXPLOITING AN OLD WRECK. DISCOVERIES UNDER THE SEA. : LIQUOR OF RIPE AGE. [UY TELEGRAM.—OWN. CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington', Saturday. A few days ago an expedition was organised by Mr. E. C. Perano, of Picton, and Mr. Alex. M. flow, of Wellington, with a view to exploiting the wreck of the steamer Rangitoto, oil' Jackson's Head. The. vessel went down on. July .31, 1873. The wreck is almost forgotten, although some of the older identities occasionallydiscussed the possibility of recovering the cargo of copper plates, which was supposed to have been the freight of the Rangitoto when she went to the bottom. The Rangitoto, a screw iron steamer of 475 tons, was owned by the Panama and New Zealand Royal Mail Company, and was ' a wellknown passenger and cargo trader between Australia and New Zealand ports. A plan, for salvaging the cargo of copper was arranged recently, ami the New Zealand Times gives an interesting account of the expedition. The services of Diver F. Dixon, of Wellington, and his attendant, J. Harrington, were secured. Mr. Cow had procured the diving gear used at the El hi garni to wreck two years ago. The party left Picton in the small steamer Elsie last Tuesday morning, and although the weather was unsuitable, owing to a heavy, easterly sea, Mr. Perano took the Elsie over the wreck. Diver Dixon, on going down, at once discovered the Rangitoto.. The vessel was almost hidden by a. thick growth of kelp. She had a. slight list, and. her two iron masts had fallen to the side. It -was necessary to cut away the kelp before access could lie gained to the vessel's hold. . About 30ft of the iron plates near the keel had been ripped off by chafing on the rocks, where she now lies. Dixon reports that the engines are in a wonderful state of preservation,, although thickly encrusted with submarine growth. The after hold was found to be almost full of loose bottles •of beer (in stone bottles), sherry, Marfell's brandy, Hcnnessy's brandy, claret, sarsaparilla, and soda water. Apparently the cases in which the liquor had been packed had rotted away, and the. bottles, had rolled into layers without breaking. Although search was made for the copper no signs of any were discovered. The fore hold contained cases of assorted hardware and some rolls of cloth. One case, containing 3cwt of hammers, rules, window catches, etc., was salvaged, and samples of each of the liquors were also taken on to the Elsie. The beer, sherry, sarsaparilla, claret, and soda water were found to have improved considerably by their immersion; but the brandy had a. decidedly "corky" flavour, which rendered the liquor unpalatable. Some crockery and glassware, bearing the impress of the steamship company, was also rescued in good condition. Dixon inspected. the strongroom, and found a, family of crayfish. No money was discovered, as apparently the bullion and specie had been removed before the ship was abandoned. The wreck presented to the diver a weird spectacle resting on the bottom of the sea. The Elsie was cleverly handled by Mr. Perano, aiid the diver was able to pursue his investigations for nearly the whole day.