DIVERS’ FINE WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1931, Page 6

DIVERS’ FINE WORK

GOLD IN SUNKEN VESSEL. UPPER DECK CUT OPEN. London, Aug. 17. The divers from the modern salvage ship Artiglio, who are now seeking to recover the £1,000,000 worth of bullion that was lost when the P. and 0. liner Egypt sank in 1922, with the loss of 87 lives, off the coast of France, 25 miles southwest of Ushant, are credited with a remarkable performance. In tho course of their examination of the treasure ship, which lies at a depth of 400 ft, says the Brest correspondent cf the Times, they cleared the wreckage fjom a hole blasted in the upper week, which nearly bisects the vessel, without using their hands. Visibility extended only five yards. Explosive charges were ignited beneath the calm, sunny surface of the sea, and their discharge shook th© Artiglio from stem to stern, and startled passing craft. Activities were continued after nightfall as the divers methodically cut a section 30ft by 60ft from the upper deck; much as a giant tin-opener would make a circuit of a sardine tin. ■ The current defeated an, endeavour to slide the loosened structure overboard, with the aid of grapnel irons and therefore the bombardment with explosives was resumed.

The bullion. room cannot be exposed pending the removal of a section;of the upper..deck, owljieh . Jms-eollaps.edc-.oni .to tJiQ.main;deck, IX-.1N.-. ‘‘' ' * ' ■ : • ' ' ::l ‘