SALVAGE FROM THE DEEP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 205, 31 August 1932, Page 3

SALVAGE FROM THE DEEP

LOCKSMITH'S TASK. I OPENING TREASURE CHESTS. A locksmith was lately on the seas on a voyage to Europe from America. Mr. Charles Courtney, president of the American Association of Alaster I Locksmith, has made ku 18 yean’ 'study of locks, and he says he believes fhat an acute sense of hearing and the of fingertips to invreaMß the sensitivity arc in vain. “No per ( son could attack a modern lock in that fashion with any hope of success. ’’ ihe said, explaining that locks have tiecome so perfect mechanicallv that turn biers fall into their appointoi places an<l release lock holts without the slightest sound But Mr. Courtney says he believes that every lock has its weak point, and he is depending on this theory for success in his present Mr. Courtney’s mission was cloaked .n mystery when he sailed from th® Unite 1 States. He did not know whether he would land in Engla.id, France, or Germany. He hnd been t• Id only that three chests had been salvaged from a ship sunk during the Great War. that he was to attempt, to open two of them, and that if he eared lo he could descend into the sea 1o attempt to open the large vault, in the sunken hulk, said to contain about £400,(K)0 in gold. Acetv leno torches: were used t<» open one of the chests, hut so many valuable papers were destroyed or damaged that the salvaging concern ilccided io ca l in the American expert.