SUNKEN TREASURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21051, 1 June 1938, Page 9

SUNKEN TREASURE

SALVAGE OF LUTINE PLANNED Tugs and Dredges to Co-operate United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright AMSTERDAM. May 30. Three sand sucking salvage tugs are clearing an area around the submerged wreck of the frigate Lutine off Terschelling Island, from which the world’s largest tin dredger, Karima ta is ready to attempt the recovery of bullion woith £1,000,000. The Lutine, a French ship captured by Admiral Duncan, foundered off Terschelling Island, off the Dutch coast on October 9. 1799. At the time it had on board bullion valued st over £1.000,000, which it was taking to Cruxhaven for British troops operating against Napoleon. The crew of over 270 lost their lives, the one member who reached the shore dying the next day. Various attempts at salvage have been made, and up to 1856 over £lOO.OOO in specie had been salved. The ship’s bell was brought to the surface in 1859, and is now the famous Lutine Bell in the underwriters’ room at Lloyd’s. The Lutine Bell is rung when an announcement is made that a missing ship is posted as lost, or a ship regarded as lost has been reported. The bell is rarely used now, but when it is rung it is to call the attention of members to any important announcement. The need for the bell has almost disappeared, for modern methods of spreading news swiftly make it certain that members would have heard the news just as quickly as any of the Lloyd’s staff.