BURIED TREASURE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13277, 30 November 1911, Page 4

BURIED TREASURE.

Seekers for buried treasure will fina encouragement in the success that has attended the salving of biiUjon and specie in H.M.S. Lutine, which was wrecked off the island of Vlieland on 9th October, 1799. The Lutine, a 36----gun frigate, was on her way to Haniburg freighted with gold and silver bars and coin to the total value of £1,20,0,000, of which £140,000 was for the payment of the King's troops, then "stationed on tho Island of Texel, the balance being to relieve the merchants of Hamburg, who were financially embarrassed owing to the depression of tho money mark'ot caused by the wars. Attempts had been made at various times to recover the treasute, with th« result that over £100,000' has been found. Lasp year tho National Salvage Association. Ltd., decided to send its' powerful salvage steamer Lyons to remove the 36 feet of sand which then covered the sunken vessel. Considerable success has attended its efforts. The sand outside and inside the vessel has been removed, and the divers can walk along her lower hold forward. Amidships there are aboni 150 tons of iron ballast, and aft there are cannon-balls to the depth of 5 feet or sis feet. The vessel's magazine was in the between decks, and when her after part collapsed tho cannon balls, timber, powder, etc., fell on to the gold and silver bars, burying them. It was found necessary to use dynamite in the removal of the cannon balls, and in September several charges were used, enabling two tiers of cannon balls to be removed. As each tier is taken away more and more coins aro found, indicating that the treasure lies unde^r this mass of iron, which, owing to" the action of the salt water, has become solid. Recently a piece of rast was pumped up with a cavity in ft showing an .impression exactly the size of a gold bar. This was treated with acid, and 5 grains of gold was. taken from the rust. Work at the wreck was being carried on when the last mail loft. .