SEEKING SUNKEN TREASURE

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 6690, 20 August 1919, Page 3

SEEKING SUNKEN TREASURE

OFF GAEO ISLAND. Fifty-four years ago —in the year 1865—a sailing ship, called the Monumental City, left 'Melbourne for London. It was in the height of the romantic digging days, and aboard' the ship was a large company of diggers who had made their piles, and, whose faces were turned eagi-rly homewards. But bad luck pursued tho ship. Contrary winds seized her from the moment she left Bass Strait, and tossed 'her hither and thither. She was driven north-east along the Australian coast. Off Gabo Island she foundered. The diggers aboard had stored their hard-won gold in the ship's safe, and the total accumulation there was very large. When the vessel began to founder it was every man for himself. The captain opened the -safe, and many of the men got out their gold and tied it in belts around their waists. Perhaps in doing this they sacrificed, their lives, for of all the company only the captain and the boatswain were saved. The ■bodies of some of the drowned diggers went ashore, and in nearly every case a belt full of gold was found. No-attempt was ever made to recover the large quantity of gold that went down with the ship, although her position was known approximately. It was discussed sometimes, but the result of the hunt for the gold of tho General Grant, south of New Zealand—which was wrecked about the same time in sMirlar circumstances —was always hold up a? a discouragement. However, a syndicate has now been formed to seek tht Monumental City's gold. A son of the rescued boatswain, who lives in V- iliiamistown, has given useful information. A boat is being fitted up in Williamstown, and a well-known diver l'amed Beckett has been engaged. The whole expedition is being seriously undertaken, even although 54 years have eiapsc-d since the old wooden ship went du.vn.