ELINGAMITE TREASURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1704, 21 March 1906, Page 2

ELINGAMITE TREASURE.

RETURN OF THE PELICAN. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE DIVER FURTHER ATTEMPT TO BE MADE Tho steamer Pelioan, whioh was chartered from the Davenport Steam Ferry Company, by a party from Queensland, to make an attempt to resoue the bullion whioh went down in the e.s. Elingamite, oil the Three Kiogs, about three years ago, returned to Auckland on Thursday after an unsuccessful expedition. Several attempts have been made since the wreck of the Elingamite to secure the bullion, which is valued at about j£ 17,000. A Wellington syndicate in the sohooner Emma Sims made the first attempt, and the next attempt was made by a Southern syndicate, who chartered the Pelican, but although the wreck was located, and the diver went dowD, it was reported that the bullion room and its contents had disappeared. The latest attempt was made by a party from Queensland, consisting of Messrs J. N. Parkes and his son, and Dr Macdonald, who havo had considerable experience in diving operations on the Queensland coast. Leaving Auckland on the afternoon of Maroh 6, in the Pelioan, the party proceeded up the ooasV experiencing fresh winds and raiu throughout the nigbt. Theyanohored in Tom bowling’s Bay, at 7 p.m. on fhe fi>b, to avoid reaching the kings in darkness. At 7 a.m. on the Bth, the Pelioan left for the Kings, reaohing the West png at 1p m. Finding the sea too heavy with a fresh southerly wind, she anchored in North-west Bay, under shelter of the Great King. At half past nine on the 9sh she left for the West King, and surveyed tho position of the wreck, but, finding too much sea, and the wind still keeping up, the party returned to the Great King. | On tho morning of the 10ch the weather had moderated considerably, with a light southerly wind and fine clear weather, and at half-past ten o’clock the steamer left the anchorage and proceeded to the eoono of the wreck. The ewell was still too much to permit of operations being started, although the sea bad gone down a little. These conditions gave the party an opportunity for sounding, and various careful depths were taken, and the steamer then re'.urned to North-west Bay. The morning of the 11th broko fine, with oalm, clear weather, and an early slart was made for the West King, where the steamer was anchored cfl the wreck. At six a.m. the work of mooring the steamer hdad and stern was proceeded with, but shortly after running tho kodgos out' the ebb-tide set in very stroDgly, and it was found that the mooriDga would not hold, the eteanJbr beiog inclined to drag slightly. Captain Gardiner, of the Pelican, considered that, in the circumstances, it would

be imprudent for tho diver to descend, especially as a kedge had been lo3t, and tho lines carried away. Before leaving the soundings made tho previous day were carefully verified. In the afternoon of tho same day further attempts were made to moor the steamer, but owing to the lines and kedges not holding work had to be abandoned for the day, although tho diver was dressed rerdy to go down, and the steamer again returned to the anchorage, On the 12th another early stait was made, and the etcamer anchored over whore tho wieck was supposed to bo. Before this could be done,' however, a great deal of risky boat work bad to be undertaken, where ropes had to be brought

[ into requisition. Tho cage in wbioh Ihe diver was to I desoend wes slung to a davit on the port side, a wire rope beiog taken to the winch, owing to the lack of a derrick aft. I Tho oage was sluDg over the side, but lit was very difficult for the diver to get into it, and uso it c.n vomently, Nevertheless, a descent was made, but at 11 fathoms the signal was made by tho diver to heave up. Ou reaching the surface it was found that tbo diver was in trouble. He was at once taken on board of tho Pelic.n and undressed. It was found that the capell of •b, cow i had got into tbo vents, thus preventing a free and proper circulation of air. He had been in danger of suffocation. After consultation it was deemed advisable to cease operations, particularly as fresh getp was required, and return to

Auckland. . The party have made fresh arrargj. ments with the owners cl the Pelican for the use of the steamer to make another

attempt to recover the treasure,