SUNKEN GOLD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18067, 19 April 1933, Page 2

SUNKEN GOLD

SEARCH TO BE MADE SWEDISH ENTERPRISE Historical research has led to proposals being made to the Finnish Government. for the recovery of a treasure amounting to about £(!()(),000 in gold, which is to bo found lying at the bottom of the sea in the Finnish archipelago. On Iris recent visit to Finland, Crown Prince Gustaf Alolph of Sweden was accompanied by Count Wachtmcister, a Swedish aristocrat whose forefathers were admirals- in the Swedish navy. During researches in the State archives lie found in old documents mention of a Russian ship carrying the treasure that had been sunk in the Finnish archipelago in the year 1719 during a war between Sweden and Russia. The Swedish Admiralty some years later made vain attempts to find and raise the treasure. The failure was due to the fact that machinery had not been perfected for dealing in depths of six fathoms, which was necessary in this ease. With modern diving apparatus this depth presents no difficulties. But a new hitch arose. The Swedish Admiralty had for years kept the site of the wreck a secret. For fifteen years the count -was- unable to trace it. But just before his departure for Finland ho accidentally came across au old log of the Swedish feet, and in this he found such accurate information that lie was able to locate the wreck on modern maps. During the visit, at the occasion of a big official reception, Count Wnchtmeistcr approached Finnish Government officers about the wreck. He proposed that the treasure be divided between Finnish and Swedish institutions. But. the salvage of the treasure is taken as a matter of course.