SUNKEN TREASURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2425, 6 May 1922, Page 4

SUNKEN TREASURE.

A LUCKY SYNDICATE.

BASS STRAIT ADVENTURE

Romance linked with, finance is the quest of'the Phil Forbes, a little ketch which has just returned to Sydney after a successful search for sunken treasure in Bass Strait. On Christmas Eve last the Union Company’s steamer Karitane was wrecked on Deal Island, while on the way to Sydney from Tasmanian ports, with a large quantity of produce and near-pure copper. The vessel struck a rocky ledge head-on, and battered in her bows. She was subsequently beached. Owing to the vessel’s precarious position, the company decided to sell the cargo. ' The lure of gold has lured on men of all nationalities to the fields of adventure., but in this case it was the lure of copper that resulted in the snydieate being formed in Sydney to embhrk on the quest. The cargo was bought, and the little ketch Phil Forbs chartred; A crew and an experienced diver, were assembled and about a month later the band of adventurers sailed out of the harbour, bound for Bass Strait.

For two months at lonely Deal Island, the work of recovering the valuable metal from the hold of the steamer proceeded apace. Great difficulties were encountered af first owing to a large quantity of straw and other produce that was lying on the top of the metal. Gradually the object of the quest was reached, and was hauled to the surface, and placed in the ketch alongside. When a fair quantity had been loaded, the Phil Forbes would leave for the Tasmanian mainland, unload, and return.

Calm weather prevailed during the early portion of the salvage operations, but towards the finish conditions were unpleasant. Nearly'all the copper, together with some silver ore, and ship’s gear were recovered. A ! s about £60,000 worth'of copper was on board the Karitane, according to statements made at> the time of the wreck, the members of the syndicate should reap a rich reward for their enterprise. Principals of the syndicate declare that the salvage work established a reeprd in sonic respects, and was attended by unqualified success.