LINER’S TREASURE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 8

LINER’S TREASURE

uOOD WORK OF SALVAGERS LONDON, August 20. Tli divers from the modern salvage ship Artiglio 11., who are now seeking r.o recover the £1,000,000 worth of bullion that was lost when the P. and O. liner Egypt sank, in 1922, with the loss of 87 lives, 'off the eo/rst of France 25 miles south-west of- Ushant are credited with a remarkable performance. In the course of their examination of the treasure ship, which lies at a depth of 400 ft, says the Brest oorresponden of “The Times,” they cleared the wreckage from a hole blasted in tlie upper deck which nearly dissects the vessel, without using their hands. Visibility extended only five yards. Explosive charges were ignitedthroughout Wednesday beneath the clam, sunny surface of the sea, and their discharge shook the Artiglio from stem to stern, and startled passing craft. Activities were continued after nightfall, as the divers methodically cut a section 30ft by 50ft from the upper deck, much as a giant tinopener would make a circuit of a sardine tin. The current defeated an endeavour to slide the loosened structure ovei'board, with the aid of grapnel irons, and therefore the bombardment with explosives was resumed. The bullion room cannot be exposed pending the removal of a section of the upper deck, which -ha s collapsed on to the main deck.