THE GENERAL GRANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16035, 29 September 1915, Page 6

THE GENERAL GRANT.

SALVAGING EXPEDITION. UNEXPECTED RETURN.* MANY NARROW ESCAPES. COAST LINE EXPLORED. TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Blcep, Tuesday. Unheralded and unknown, an adventurous expedition temporarily returned to the Bluff to-day from an exhaustive search for the gold of the ill-fated ship General Grant, wrecked on the rockbound, desolate Auckland Islands exactly half a-century ago. Captain P. V. Catling purchased the cutter Enterprise in Bluff a few months ago, ostensibly to undertake a fishing cruise, and nothing further was heard of the vessel or her crew of three until her unheralded return for stores and further outfit for three months. The party thoroughly explored the whole of the Auckland Islands coastline and, in the course of this hazardous task, they experienced many adventures. The actual examination of the coastline was carried out in a light centreboard canoe, specially constructed with airtight compartments and unsinkable.

Fortunately, the Enterprise proved herself a splendid sea-boat, and she succeeded in returning to New Zealand. Captain Catling was accompanied by John Olsen, A.8., and Paul Suveran, an ex-French man-o'-war man. They have succeeded in carrying out the most thorough and complete charting ever attempted at the Auckland Islands, and they return shortly to carry out diving in earnest in what they are satisfied is the actual site of the wreck. The Enterprise is fitted out with the most up-to-date and complete equipment south of the line.

One of Crew Nearly Drowned. The vessel cleared Bluff on June 8, but was delayed by rough weather off Stewart Island for 14 days. On one occasion one of the party —Suveran—was swept overboard by the main-sheet, to which he clung, but was fortunately rescued a few minutes later. The Auckland Islands were sighted on June 23, and the Enterprise subsequently ran round under the lee of Adams's Island. Tremendous sea? were running, and the little craft had a rough handling while trving to beat into Fly Harbour and. finally, had to give it up and run back to the western entrance, where 6he got through. The speciallyconstructed, unsinkabfe canoe was stove in on the deck, but was repaired and rendered serviceable again. On -June 27, while trying to make Port Ross, the Enterprise was caught in a fog, and carried by a strong current past Enderby Island and along the northern coast. Next day cliffs were picked up, and these proved to be the West Coast, with furious breakers right ahead, proving that the current had carried the boat right across from east to west. The engine of 8 h.p. had to be kept going the whole time, and, if it had failed, it would have been all up with the vessel.

Encounter With Sea Lions. | The fog rose at 9 a.m." on the 28th. and disclosed the craft midway between OceatIsland and Ewing Island. The sun breaking through, showed the weary sailors the Government provision depot. < v '•' The depot was found intact. Enderbv Island was infested with rabbits, and after shooting a supply, they made for Laurie Harbour for water and firewood. The sea lions were found in the long grass at the head of the harbour in large numbers. One of them attacked the partv, and as they did not like to do him any harm, they left him proudly in charge of the whole field. Another large sea lion disputed their claim to the watering place, and came at them open-mouthed, with the result that they bombarded him with stones. Five of them followed the boat,' and tried to chew a piece out of one of the oars.

On one occasion a light baffling wind sprang up from the south-west, with a heavy swell rolling in. It set the craft stern first towards the rocky shore. These were, as it happened, exact! v the. same conditions which resulted in "the loss of the General Grant herself, hut the Enterprise was able, with her engine going, to push out to sea. .

Work of Exploration. On July 10 the work of exploring the coast in search of the General Grant and her treasure commenced in earnest. A thorough search was mapped out. Terv stormy weather was met with, and the adventurous trio and their little craft had many narrow" escapes from destruction among the reefs and rocks of the islands. The canoe was frequently used in efforts to locate the wreck.

When off Cape Levitt on one occasion the Enterprise got out of touch with, the canoe, and dark set in without a rescue being effected. Finally, by means of lantern signals, they located "each other, but unfortunately, owing to the heavy swell, the canoe got badly smashed, and* had to be abandoned after all the sear had been removed. The loss of the canoe was a serious one. as all the exploration had to be carried out in an open dinghy. For three months the adventurons trio explored and sounded every nook and corner of the islands north " south east and west, including Disappointment! Enderly, Rose, and Adams Islands. Thev have narrowed down the whole of the possible sites of the wreck to one spot which clearly has all the characteristic* which answer to the snrvr.,V;-. =* narratives.