THE GOTHENBURG WRECK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 84, 8 April 1875, Page 4

THE GOTHENBURG WRECK.

THE DIVEE'S NARRATIVE. Brisbane, March 15, Night. The following is the report of Mr James Putwain, (he diver, who has been working at the wreck of the Steamship Gothenburg: ~~ "I ieft Bowen on Sunday morning, the 7th inst., at six o'clock, io the Florence Irving, with a boat, diving apparatus, and a crew, for the purpose of trying to recover gold and other valuables supposed to be lost in the Gothenburg. We were cast adrift from the Florence Irving near the scene of the wreck at noon the same day, and the steamer proceeded on her voyage. The wreck was found lying with head N.E. and S.W., with a strong list to port, the stern in about ten fathoms of water; and the bows in about 5 fathoms, with her foremast and yards lying awash. I found much difficulty in getting down in consequence of the strong current and heavy wash on the reef, and finding it was impracticable to go down from the boat, I rigged a temporary stage from the maintop, which was a few feet but of the water. Here I fitted up my diving apparatus, and then made my descent from the rigging to the captain's cabin, but my air tube becoming entangled with the ship's funnel, I had a difficulty in clearing if, and at one time thought the consequences would have been serious, owing to the attendant being unused to handling the apparatus After some delay I succeeded in clearing the tube, and was compelled to come to the surface to give fresh instructions. 1 then descended the second time, and took a short survey of the ship. I found her broken abaft the fore cabins, and the funnel partially down, but the deck was not started abaft of where she was broken. The captain's cabin was broken away, except the roof and combings. After a diligent search I got to the box supposed to contain the gold on the l<e Bide of the combings of the captain's cabin, and at once slung it, and placed it in a convenient position for hoisting to the surface. I then endeavored to descend the cabin stairs, but only could get down a few steps in consequence of not having sufficient length of tube; but here a melancholy sight presented itself for at the port bide of the vessel, and at the foot of the saloon stairs, I saw two females, one apparently having her arm round the other. I was atxious to get there to obtain, if possible, a portion of their hair, which was flowing loosely around them, or some other relic that might be identified by their friends, and serve them as a memento of their ftarful and sudden loss, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful for reasons previously mentioned. Finding that at this time I could do no further good at the wreck, and after making the gold secure in the boat, I proceeded to B>weo and reported all the circumstances to the proper authorities, and deposited the gold in the Joint Stock Bank. I left Bowen next morning for the wreck, but found 1 could. do nothing, the weather being too boisterous: but while waiting nlongside, we caught two sharks twelve feet long."