SUNKEN TREASURE

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20488, 5 March 1932, Page 15

SUNKEN TREASURE

CALL SENT TO SYDNEY DIVER. CHARTS OF 40 YEARS AGO. (FROM OUR OWSCOEBESPONDEST.) - C SYDNEY, February 25. Charts made more than 40 years ago by a Sydney diver, Mr G. M. . Dale, while he was engaged in an attempt to recover bullion valued at £600,000 from the French flagship L'Orient, sunk by Lord Nelson's fleet in Aboukir Bay in 1798," have resulted in his being called upon by a British syndicate to renew the search. In 1889 Dale believed that he'had the treasure within his was working, became and abandoned operations. But Dale tool the precaution of making an accurate charV with valuable cross-bearings, of the position of-L'Orient. He stowed it among his valued possesions, and forgot all about it until recently when he read {hat a ' British syndicate had received permission to' search for the sunken treasure. ' , •* .. Dale is now 80 years of age, but _ as keen as" ever. He. claims to be the oldest diver living, and says he does not feel nibre than 45. He is looking "forward-to his new' adventure with:-the greatest enthusiasm,-and says it willbe a great .satisfaction to him if .he accomplishes in .1932 what he failed to accomplish in 1889. • He feels that if the job is tackled with patience and application the'fortune will be recovered. The work should not be difficult as the vessel sank in only, six fathoms of water. Dale has had experience in alf parts of the globe, for he was attached' to- "the British "Navy for iyears. - IftCle i ciaiflis thaF in l *lßß9 he: located five" of: the ships- of the Frenchr-squad-r.on sunk in Aboukir. Bay. - As ivell as. .the £600,000 thought to.; ho in I/Orient, it' is belieyed f that"she carried the treasure seized ! 'by : the French vrlle'n they occupied Malta; He is 'convinced that he. .discovered ; th,f) stern .post of L'Orient and was making. good progress with his' undersea investigations when he was forced to discontinue work. The diving conditions 'in- the bay were perfect, as the sea was clear r.nd the bottom, hard sand. There were no sharks in the locality, but, large octopuses often gave trouble. "When I get to Aboukir Bay," said Dale, "I will bevthe first to go down. I am as keen on diving as. ever I . was. Age counts for nothing. . I feel at home under the sea, and I am anxious to'get to work again,"