PENDING ATTEMPT TO REGAIN REMAINDER OF NIAGARA’S BULLION

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 March 1947, Page 6

PENDING ATTEMPT TO REGAIN REMAINDER OF NIAGARA’S BULLION

(P.A.) Auckland, March 14. A bid to recover from, the bed of the Pacific Ocean 35 bar s of gold still lying embedded in the wreck of the Niagara, 30 miles from Whangarei Heads, may be made late this year by Mr. John Johnston,, celebrated deepsea diver who took a prominent part in the original salvage in 1941, and who was recently engaged in the task of refloating the Wcnganella. It is possible that fresh salvage attempts will be combined with a scientific expedition to study mar.ne life at depths previously unprobed off the New Zealand coast. Mr. Johnstone will descend 438 feet to the wreck m a new_steel diving bell he has designed specially for th e purpose: “Ever since we ceased operations in 1941 I have had plans for an improved at the back of my mind,” he said.

Scattered amid the wreck the remaining gold, worth £135,000 is still the property of the Bank of England, but by agreement with the bank the salvage party will take 50 per cent, of the gold that is retrieved. The gold remaining although still a substantial sum, is only 4 per cent, of the Niagara’s total bullion. The major part of it, already recovered, was valued at nearly £2,400,000. Unlike the 1941 operations, which security regulations mad e it necessary to veil with secrecy, no attempt will be made this time to keep the news of the diver's activities from the public. The old coastal steamer Claymore, which .was used six years ago, will not be available for operations again, being stripped of her engines and fitted with a concrete bottom. The veteran Ship, used as a boom defence vessel during th e war-, now rests in the quiet upper reaches of the Auckland Harbour.